It’s official: Silencio and Steinlager II (above) are the winners of their divisions in the New Zealand Millennium Cup.
It seemed all but inevitable that Silencio would take the Millennium Cup division (yachts exceeding 98 feet/30 meters). After all, she won both race day 1 and race day 2. However, her four challengers weren’t about to cede all bragging rights. Janice of Wyoming, Bliss, and Silvertip were tied for second place, with Sassafras poised to play spoiler for third place for one of them. This being the latter’s first regatta, a place on the podium would be extra sweet.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Cup division, Steinlager II and Antaeus each had won a race. So, “winner takes all” was the case for today’s race.
As had been the case for much of the New Zealand Millennium Cup, sunny skies and good winds (about 18 knots) greeted the fleet. Today’s course was the longest, 30 nautical miles. Plenty of jockeying for the lead characterized the run toward the first mark. The action really heated up from there. Silencio was leading by mark two, overtaken by Sassafras by mark three. Within a few more marks, both Bliss and Janice of Wyoming passed Silencio, with Bliss soon enough making a big push to gain second place. Sassafras stayed in first, Bliss in second, and Silencio in third straight to the finish line, despite Bliss’ crew making one heckuva close on the gap between her and Sassafras. Thirty-one seconds separated Sassafras’ first-place finish and Bliss’ second-place position. Just as Bliss arrived back at the docks to the sounds of the rock anthem “Highway to Hell” on day one, she let her sound system loose after today’s race. Meanwhile, Janice of Wyoming claimed third, with Silvertip and Silencio rounding out the division finishers. Even with Janice of Wyoming beating out Silvertip, Silvertip still gave her a run for the money. Silencio unfortunately suffered from spinnaker troubles earlier on in the race and couldn’t regain her lead.
Since just two competitors were in the Pacific Cup division, Steinlager II secured final victory by crossing the finish line following Silvertip, being fifth overall to finish.
Because the New Zealand Millennium Cup coincided with the Bay of Islands Sailing Week, the prize-giving ceremonies were merged. The official MC told the crowd that the Cup augmented the Sailing Week action. The crowd also got a bath of champagne thanks to the owner and crew of Silencio when they lifted the Millennium Cup trophy. Further awards went to the owners of Silvertip and Janice of Wyoming. Each has raced their yacht in New Zealand and supported the country’s yachting industry for a number of years.
No doubt, then, they’ll be back for the next Cup, in a few years’ time.
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