Tomorrow marks the start of the annual New Zealand Millennium Cup. This South Pacific-based superyacht regatta will see eight yachts vie for the title of champion through January 29.
The New Zealand Millennium Cup is being held on the Bay of Islands, off the eastern part of New Zealand’s North Island. Though this is the eighth edition of the race, it’s just the second year at this location.
So, who’s competing? Four returning racers and four new ones. The newbies are:
- Kealoha. Ninety-foot (27.5-meter) Kealoha has been entertaining charter guests vs. racing since delivery in 2007. But, there’s a first time for everything, right? Her captain is said to be excited.
- Tawera. While the 92-foot (28-meter) Tawera has never participated in the New Zealand Millennium Cup, her owners have. They were aboard Silvertip (see below) last year. That’s because Tawera was busy with charter clients in the Caribbean. The owners decided it would be even more fun to enjoy the race aboard her this year. It’s also been 20 years since the yacht last cruised New Zealand waters, then known as Catalyst.
- Shamoun. A 108-footer (33-meter), Shamoun knows her way around superyacht regattas. She’s seen action at the St. Barths Bucket, the Superyacht Cup Palma, and the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous.
- Allegro. While she’ll compete in a different class due to LOA (she’s a Warwick 67), Allegro is a true racer. She just participated in the Sydney to Hobart race a few weeks ago.
The returning racers at the New Zealand Millennium Cup are familiar faces:
- Janice of Wyoming. Pictured at top, the 131-foot (40-meter) Janice of Wyoming is competing in her fifth New Zealand Millennium Cup. New Zealand’s waters are preferred cruising grounds for the owner, too.
- Silvertip. This 111-footer (33.8-meter) sloop gives Janice of Wyoming a run for her money. She’s taken the New Zealand Millennium Cup trophy twice.
- Steinlager 2. Competitors have their work cut out for them thanks to Steinlager 2. She’s won all six legs of the Whitbread Round the World race. (Can you say “gauntlet thrown”?)
- Antaeus. Last year the owner and crew of Antaeus, a Davidson 65, enjoyed the regatta so much that they decided a repeat engagement was in order.
We’ll have photo galleries of each day’s action during the week.
Leave a Reply