With the captain’s briefing all wrapped up, all that’s left to do for the New Zealand Millennium Cup 2015 is to fire the starting pistol. The sailing superyachts Antaeus, Bliss, Janice of Wyoming, Sassafras, Silencio (pictured below), Silvertip, and Steinlager II are each looking to claim victory after the three days of racing, which start tomorrow.
Since the first Millennium Cup race in 2000, the focus of the event has been promoting New Zealand as a cruising destination. It’s timed to attract yachts enjoying the region’s summer season. Simultaneously, it has promoted New Zealand-based megayacht builders, designers, refit yards, and other yachting companies. The themes have carried through the handful of days of competitive sailing and camaraderie.
Among the New Zealand Millennium Cup 2015 competitors, both Janice of Wyoming and Silvertip competed in the last race, in 2013. Previous experience is no guarantee for success, however. This year’s race is being held in a different location, the Bay of Islands. There will be an estimated 90 other yachts of all sizes watching, too. That’s because the New Zealand Millennium Cup 2015 coincides with Bay of Islands Sailing Week, a prestigious regatta now in its 13th year.
The New Zealand Millennium Cup 2015 handicapping will be via the International Superyacht Rule. The forecast for the week promises clear skies and building breezes, ideal conditions. Also ideal: social events following each race, designed to educate and entertain owners and crew. (Yes, some sailing superyacht owners are aboard their boats, even taking the helm.) There’ll be a wine tasting, for example, sponsored by a local vineyard.
Even though the skipper’s briefing today doesn’t sound terribly exciting, there was a truly memorable experience for all in attendance. Captains, crew, owners, media, and industry representatives received a traditional Maori blessing.
We’ll have daily photo gallery coverage of the racing action, starting tomorrow. It’s interesting to note that tomorrow has also been dubbed Dubois Race Day. It’s in honor of famed designer Ed Dubois, for the numerous New Zealand-built yachts he’s designed and his overall support of the New Zealand yachting industry. Three Dubois-designed yachts are competing in the Millennium Cup 2015: Bliss, Janice of Wyoming, and Silvertip.
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