In a little more than three months, the famed Millennium Cup megayacht race in New Zealand will be held again, kicking off what will become an annual competition.
The Millennium Cup was inaugurated in 2000, when Team New Zealand defended the America’s Cup in its home waters. The idea was to thank megayacht owners and crew for visiting Auckland and nearby regions. It was also a way to introduce more people to the area’s builders, refit facilities, and related businesses. A repeat regatta was held in 2003, with the intention of doing the same every two to three years. Unfortunately, that did not occur, but organizers now feel confident an annual event in the Hauraki Gulf will be well attended. Besides showcasing the local industry, the Millennium Cup is being positioned as the premiere megayacht event of the South Pacific.
So far five yachts are confirmed for the Millennium Cup 2012, being held February 16 to 18. Among them is Silvertip (pictured), which won the Millennium Cup in 2003. Built by Yachting Developments, she’s 111 feet (33.8 meters) LOA. The remaining four competitors were all built by Alloy Yachts: Pacific Eagle, Georgia, Janice of Wyoming, and Imagine. LOAs are 102 feet (31 meters), 159 feet (48.5 meters), 130 feet (39.6 meters), and 144 feet (44 meters), respectively.
Despite all of the Millennium Cup’s confirmed competitors being sailing yachts, motoryachts are also welcome. The motoryachts will naturally depart before the sailing yachts on race days. The courses include Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Kawau Island, as well as the East Coast Bays region and Hibiscus Coast area. All of the locales provide spectator viewing spots on land and on water.
To download an application, visit the Millennium Cup website.
Christian
It’s a very exciting event. Right now I will study my sailing courses lesson and to prove it that I’m the best sailor . HEHEHE joke