Superyacht regattas make come back with NZ Millennium Cup
The NZ Millennium Cup returns in February, marking the first superyacht regatta since early 2020.
The regatta is raced amongst the bays and coves of the Bay of Islands; the historic heart of New Zealand’s maritime life.
The organisers say that the cup serves as an opportunity to showcase New Zealand as a destination to cruising superyachts, as well as highlight the innovation and experience within the local superyacht sector. It’s headquartered at the historic Duke of Marlborough hotel in Russell, which has been a hub of New Zealand’s marine activity since Māori first arrived in voyaging waka around 700 years ago, followed by European whalers – making the town the largest whaling port in the Southern Hemisphere for a period of time – in the early 1820s.
When this year’s edition kicks off on 15 February, the line-up will include classic yacht, 34.8m, Aschanti IV and 36.2m Miss Silver, a sloop with the modern exterior lines of a Dubois design.
Like Miss Silver, fellow entry Silvertip is built to a Dubois design, and was created in New Zealand. She’s a repeat campaigner who, says organisers, has become a firm favourite on the course with spectators for her all-in approach to winning.
Royal Huisman-built Sassafras is joined by Royal Huisman’s Whirlwind XII.
Noted by other competitors is Tawera. The previous winner of multiple editions of the cup not only has a knack for quick performances; the yacht’s owners and crew bring with them a fleet of wooden skiffs and annually throw down a challenge to other crew to take a pause from wind-power and pick up the oars in competition.
