With two Royal Huisman entries lining up to compete in this year’s NZ Millennium Cup, we take a look at the Royal Huisman pedigree which makes these competitors worth keeping an eye out for.

Royal Huisman has created hundreds of vessels since the shipyard was founded in 1884. From the delivery of Whirlwind XII, the shipyard’s first superyacht, in 1986, a total of 33 yachts over 30m/100ft have been delivered. Each yacht is a one-off; classic, modern or contemporary, power or sail, based on the designs of an array of well-known naval architects and designers for owners seeking the best available.

The key qualities these architects and designers have in common are a reputation for innovation, a high level of quality, and exceptional attention to detail. A Royal Huisman yacht is designed and constructed to be as trouble-free and operationally efficient as can be, in response to the testing environment of the world's oceans. 

Royal Huisman cleverly combines its own most important asset (a large in-house team, across a wide range of disciplines) with a selection of specialist partners, whose knowledge and involvement complement the shipyard’s intellectual capital.

The realisation of an exceptional custom yacht from the seeds of a dream presents an exciting challenge for talented minds and skills-rich hands. Benefitting from decades of experience in the creation of high performance race yachts, cruising yachts and luxury superyachts, Royal Huisman has adopted very effective responses to this challenge, encompassing a flexible yet integrated range of skills and resources.

Sailing a Royal Huisman yacht is an experience like no other, whether you’re the one at the wheel – benefitting from its performance, handling and balance in demanding conditions – or the one delighting in its finish and comfort at an idyllic anchorage. Small but important details of design and construction reveal themselves over time and affirm the value engineering that is inherent in every Royal Huisman yacht.

See Royal Huisman’s Whirlwind XII and Sassafras compete in this year’s NZ Millennium Cup.

With the New Zealand Millennium Cup due to start tomorrow, organisers have elected to postpone the regatta in response to an elevated Covid alert level across New Zealand.

New Zealand Millennium Cup organisers have elected to postponed the regatta to March 2021.

With the event due to start tomorrow, organisers have postponed the Bay of Islands regatta due to precautionary Covid restrictions across the country. Racing will now be held 28 - 31 March in Russell, returning to the regatta’s Duke of Marlborough headquarters.

The regatta is run by the NZ Marine Export Group and promotes New Zealand’s cruising grounds and marine industry to international and domestic superyachts.

“As an event run to further the interests of the New Zealand marine industry, we feel a keen responsibility to our industry, superyacht owners, guests and crew, sponsors and the wider community to ensure we are taking every precaution possible,” says NZ Marine CEO, Peter Busfield.

“Postponing until late March allows us to still run an excellent event, supported by our sponsors, and our hosts, the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. Organisers expect the event to be well-supported by superyacht entrants post-America’s Cup .”

The regatta was first held alongside the 2000 America’s Cup, and was due to run from 15-18 February, 2021. It’s the longest running superyacht regatta in the South Pacific and has garnered a reputation for its camaraderie and fierce competition.

Coppercoat Pacific Limited will be making major announcements in the coming months, due to the success of its first 12 months in business. 

Coppercoat Pacific was begun in response to a lack of change within the traditional antifoul market. Antifoul is damaging to seabeds and has limited staying power; factors next-generation product, Coppercoat addresses. 

After introducing Coppercoat to the market last year, the company has now perfected a system that provides years of protection with a durable shell protecting all underwater sections of the boat. 

This change is brought about by the addition of best-of-type underwater surfaces coatings that complement Coppercoat Multi-Season Antifoul Coatings, creating an unrivalled, integrated, high-performance underwater surfaces coating system.

"Coppercoat is internationally acknowledged as the most environmentally-responsible antifoul coating in the world. Add to that our anti-foul remover, anti-corrosive primer and high-build barrier coatings fully embrace our ethic of only providing high-efficacy solutions to vessel owners with products that also help restore and protect our oceans and marine life," says Coppercoat Pacific's Richard Cleave. 

The largescale changes set to be announced in April will cement the work of Coppercoat Pacific which, over the last 12 months, has drastically improved anti-pollution, durability, and efficacy outcomes which New Zealand and Australian boats can expect from their coating systems. 

Subsurface Coating System
System characteristics include:

• Ablative antifoul removal with solvent-free, inert, non-toxic, non-corrosive biodegradable product. Eliminates damage caused to gelcoat and barrier coats often associated with abrasive blasting removal. Environmental pollution is eliminated. 

• 80% solids, self-priming, two-part epoxy anti-corrosive primer for aluminum, steel and lead substrates.

• 100% solids, solvent-free, two-part epoxy high-build barrier coat for all substrate types.

• Coppercoat Superyacht, Coppercoat Commercial and Coppercoat Multi-Season Antifoul Coatings have proven efficacy against biofouling for ten or more years. Coppercoat products comprise 100% pure recycled, ultrafine copper powder suspended in a water miscible two-part epoxy. They are solvent-free and contain no non-copper biocides. Coppercoat is impermeable, non-eroding and exceptionally durable providing substrate protection not available in ablative or foul-release antifouling.

• The two-part epoxy composition of Coppercoat can eliminate the time and cost of applying multiple undercoats and tie coats.

• The MAZU primer, MAZU barrier coating and Coppercoat can be applied in a continuous sequence creating a chemical bond between each coating. The chemical bond is infinitely stronger than a physical key created by sanding and sanding between coats is eliminated. 

• Application of the system in a continuous sequence and the elimination of tie coats, undercoats and sanding between coatings frequently reduces hardstand and underwater coating durations by days or weeks.

Technical Support and Certified Applicators

• Coppercoat Pacific's people are highly qualified and thoroughly committed to providing the highest levels of technical expertise and support to its clients. 

• Project specific Preparation and Application Guideline Procedures are prepared for each project.

• A program for certification of professional applicators and boatyards in specific regions throughout New Zealand is presently in progress. Preparation and application by certified applicators and boatyards only are designed to provide certainty that vessel owners and stakeholders will benefit from all attributes available from the system.

Donations, Sponsorships and Associations

Adding to its efforts to protect the oceans around us, Coppercoat Pacific also; 

• is a donor to Sailors of the Sea (world leading ocean conservation organisation).

 

• is a recognised member of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association, a sponsor of the New Zealand Millennium Cup and LIVE OCEAN and an Official Supplier to the PRADA Cup – Challenger of Record America’s Cup 36.

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. Designed as a showcase of the best of New Zealand, it introduces superyacht owners to the New Zealand of warm welcomes, relaxed hospitality and outstanding scenery.

When this year’s edition kicks off on 15 February, it will be with a line up of entries boasting impressive regatta credentials. Classic yacht, 34.8 metre, Aschanti IV joins the regatta after racing in the inaugural regatta in 2000, and will bring her elegant, traditional lines to the course as well as a wealth of regatta experience. Close in size to Aschanti IV, though not in appearance, 36.2 metre Miss Silver, is 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 which has become a firm favourite on the course with spectators for her all-in approach to winning, as well as adding immensely to the fun of the regatta off the course.

Royal Huisman-built Sassafras is all style and grace during racing, and will be looking forward to meeting fellow former competitors, Silvertip and Tawera come February. She’ll be joined by Royal Huisman’s Whirlwind XII; an elegant sloop which promises to bring a new dimension to this year’s line up.

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.
For local companies like ENL, making waves with its WASSP software which allows superyachts to generate their own navigational data while exploring uncharted waters, it provides an opportunity to see international clients on their home turf.
The Tawera Rum Barrel race has become a fixture of the regatta in recent years. Held on the second day of racing, crews gather on Russell’s beach for a bombastic competition which includes flying oars, dubious skill and plenty of tumbles. The prize is a hotly-contested 20 litre barrel of Mount Gay Rum.

The NZ Millennium 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.

Running from 15-18 February, 2021, the NZ Millennium Cup regatta is organised by the NZ Marine Export Group and is the longest running superyacht regatta in the South Pacific.

The first superyacht regatta in almost a year is looking to add another string to its bow as it reaches for new sustainability credentials.

The New Zealand Millennium Cup kicks off in under two months, and when the regatta begins on 15 February, it aims to lead sustainability efforts in global superyacht regattas.

The Cup has applied for Gold Clean Regatta status, in recognition of its efforts to create an event which is easy on the Bay of Islands surrounds that it’s raced in. Sustainability efforts during the South Pacific superyacht regatta include swapping plastic water bottles for reusable alternatives, encouraging the use of biodegradable sail ties, partnering with a sustainability-minded restaurant for regatta HQ, re-using regatta promotional materials, and partnering with ocean-focused charities and sponsors.

Platinum sponsor, Orams Marine likewise has a focus on the health of our oceans, installing an industry-leading water treatment system in its Auckland superyacht yard. The multi-layered system ensures water used during yacht refit, as well as yard stormwater runoff, is free of contaminants. An in-built water treatment plant separates and treats wastewater and stormwater collected across new hardstand and covered work areas now under construction. The Orams Marine team worked with sustainability experts prior to the build’s start, with the goal of setting a new shipyard industry standard of discharge water quality, protecting the Waitematā Harbour and New Zealand’s environment longterm.

Gold sponsor Benetti also has its own focus on the environment.

“Benetti is deservedly proud of its heritage of delivering beautiful, reliable, technologically advanced and innovative yachts, ideal for partaking in adventures to the most exciting corners of the world and now with a growing intelligent approach to sustainability. ” says  Peter Mahony, APAC General Manager at Benetti Yachts.

North Sails of gold sponsor duo North Sails and Southern Spars, was the first sailmaker to aggressively pursue more sustainable manufacturing processes, and it continues to put its expertise to work to pursue a more sustainable production footprint. 

“Our Second Lap project is a commitment by the North Materials division to substitute, where possible, viable “upstream” raw materials from recycled sources when manufacturing sails and components,” says Tom Davis, head of North Sails’ North Materials.

“Working with a partner in Sri Lanka, North Sails is producing polyester fibre from discarded PET bottles. This new material is in trials to be used as webbings, cordage, and the woven material used to make our iconic sail ties and blue sail bags. The bottles used in this new material are sourced in Sri Lanka and woven at the North Sails Sri Lanka manufacturing loft, minimising the transport of the plastic itself.”
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The regatta takes place in Northland’s pristine Bay of Islands, where fellow gold sponsor, Bay of Islands Marina features two modern, solar-powered recycling centres, with a sustainable approach which includes recycling water for boat washdowns.

Running from 15-17 February, 2021, the NZ Millennium Cup regatta has become a stand-out event on the world superyacht circuit, featuring a relaxed, warm approach to hospitality and fiercely competitive racing.

The NZ Millennium Cup’s first edition was in 2000 and it was first raced as an adjunct to the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland. Now, with the 36th America’s Cup approaching, organisers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s wider cruising grounds.

The notice of race and entry forms are now available at millenniumcup.com or by contacting stacey@nzmarine.com.

With three months to go until the New Zealand Millennium Cup begins, new entries are rolling in.

The South Pacific’s longest running superyacht regatta will be the first global superyacht regatta held in close to a year, marking a moment for the industry to gather and for owners, guests and crew to enjoy competitive, fun racing.

Veteran of the world’s classic regattas, Aschanti IV has taken up the challenge and entered, alongside New Zealand-built boat, Miss Silver. Royal Huisman’s 31 metre Whirlwind XIII is the second Royal Huisman entry, joining 34 metre returning campaigner, Sassafras. Oyster yacht, Firebird is another adventurous yacht which has joined the racing; the world-cruising sloop boasts a performance deck and rig package and has previously claimed victory in the Oyster Palma Regatta.

The new entrants join a line up of yachts already signed on to compete in the regatta, which takes place in the one of the globe’s greatest cruising grounds; the Bay of Islands, including previous winner of multiple editions, Tawera.

“We’re looking forward to taking competitors to the Bay of Islands in the north of New Zealand, to experience this incredibly-special part of the world,” says event manager Stacey Cook.   
“New Zealand in early 2021 will truly be the place to be for anyone passionate about exceptional yacht racing, and says Cook. “We’re looking forward to welcoming guests to this beautiful region.”
“If this isn’t heaven, then it’s just next door,” said sailing legend Peter Montgomery when describing sailing in the Bay of Islands in his role as regatta ambassador, and most entrants to the race agree with him.

The historic village of Russell is the gateway to the Bay of Islands and is also known as Kororāreka - or sweet penguin. Today, the little blue penguins that give it its name still wander up the beach to nest under the wooden boards of beachside buildings; many built when Europeans first arrived in New Zealand.

Race HQ is the Duke of Marlborough - an historic establishment which was the first place in New Zealand to be granted a license and which has been refreshing rascals and reprobates ever since - the perfect home for this regatta full of camaraderie, fierce racing and fun.

The NZ Millennium Cup’s first edition was in 2000 and it was first raced as an adjunct to the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland. Now, with the 36th America’s Cup approaching, organisers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s wider cruising grounds.

The notice of race and entry forms are now available at millenniumcup.com or by contacting stacey@nzmarine.com.

The NZ Millennium Cup’ notice of race has just been released and the response has been quick with big names in superyacht regattas quickly entering

Some of the most well-known names in superyacht racing will head south for the 2021 New Zealand Millennium Cup, it’s been announced today.

Frequent competitors in global superyacht regattas like J Class Velsheda, Win Win, Pumula, Kawil, and Wavelength will join regular NZ Millennium Cup entries Silvertip, Tawera, Sassafras and Janice of Wyoming as they race in the world’s southernmost regatta.

Also joining them for the first time in the adventurous antipodean race will be Black Sails, Ciliam, Altair, Ammonite, Hetairos, and Anemoi, with the notice of race just released by organisers.

“The regatta is based in Russell, in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands which is an incredibly-special part of the world, and we’re expecting up to 35 yachts to enter,” says event manager Stacey Cook.   

“New Zealand in early 2021 will truly be the place to be for anyone passionate about exceptional yacht racing, and says Cook. With the highest concentration of superyacht events ever seen, we’re looking forward to welcoming guests to our very special part of the world.”

The Bay of Islands-based regatta will be followed by the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta back in Auckland.

"Entries are lining up for the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta where many of the NZ Millennium Cup fleet will continue their rivalry,” says RNZYS’ Andrew Delves.

“If this isn’t heaven, then it’s just next door,” said sailing legend Peter Montgomery when describing sailing in the Bay of Islands in his role as regatta ambassador, and most entrants to the race agree with him.
The historic village of Russell is the gateway to the Bay of Islands and is also known as Kororāreka - or sweet penguin. Today the little blue penguins that give it its name still wander up the beach to nest under the wooden boards of beachside buildings; many built when Europeans first arrived in New Zealand.

Race HQ is the Duke of Marlborough - an historic establishment which was the first place in New Zealand to be granted a license and which has been refreshing rascals and reprobates ever since - the perfect home for this regatta full of camaraderie, fierce racing and fun.

The NZ Millennium Cup will be in its 13th edition in 2021 and was first raced as an adjunct to the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland. Now, with the 36th America’s Cup approaching, organisers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s wider cruising grounds.

The notice of race and entry forms are now available at millenniumcup.com or by contacting stacey@nzmarine.com

The NZ Millennium Cup prizegiving marked the close of the regatta today on Royal Huisman race day, against the backdrop of a honey and peach sunset, and the jubilation of brand new champions.
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Over three days, Kawil has taken control of the Bay of Islands regatta course. Reading the conditions well, slick crew work, and strong tactical decisions all combined to help the Derektor yacht to secure the win. The rest of the fleet was determined not to give her an easy win though, as they began the last day of racing today.

Right from the start on Royal Huisman race day, competitors set their intentions with strong starts and active racing that saw them criss-crossing the Northland waters. Silvertip, and Sassafras impressed with how well they timed their run to the start line; local yacht Silvertip accompanied to the line by her cheer squad, the local dolphin pod. Janice of Wyoming sliced close to the signal boat - and close to the start line - so close in fact that she incurred a penalty as she crossed two seconds ahead of her start time.

Heading into the wind, Silvertip took a lower approach than the rest of the fleet, then turned her sharp knuckle bow towards the Boat International Ninepin Mark. Kawil was out in front, in the spectator boats, there was speculation Kawil had overshot the mark, before she turned smartly and made a perfect rounding, showing off her impeccable tactics once more.

Sassafras and Silvertip were behind her, taking different lines for the mark and looking like they’d reach it at the same time.

“I back the Sass,” said Natasha Nel, of sponsor Blue Marine Travel, and she proved to be right as Sassafras rounded the mark ahead of Silvertip.

From there, it was kites up and they were off - heading back to the orange mark at the head of the signal before Silvertip was off, out in front for Moturoa Island, then back into the darker waters of the Bay towards the Boat International Ninepin Mark for the second time.

Behind her, Adele had already tacked, searching for wind in the middle of the Bay. It was active, exciting racing and despite Silvertip’s brilliant performance, it wasn’t enough to hold off newcomer Kawil on corrected time - 2020’s NZ Millennium Cup champion.
Peter Montgomery, MBE officiated the prize giving ceremony. As platinum sponsors Orams Marine’s managing director, Craig Park, and Royal Huisman’s sales manager, Bas Isselman presented first place to Kawil and second to Adele, he thanked the entries, sponsors and organisers as they celebrated after turning the eyes of the superyacht industry to this spectacular part of the world.

“I think you’ve made this event extraordinary,” said the owner of repeat competitor, Silvertip.

“It’s a great privilege to be here - we sailed the first NZ Millennium Cup from Auckland to Kawau so it’s fantastic fun to be here in the Bay of Islands.”

The 2020 regatta was raced from 28 January to 1 February and organisers will now turn their attention to the bumper 2021 edition. Conservative estimates among the competitors present say to expect 40 or more yacht entries - a spectacular sight on the Bay of Islands waters.
With the number of superyachts heading to New Zealand for the 36th America’s Cup - both motor and sail - the NZ Marine Export Group will also host a superyacht fishing competition from 11 - 13th February, before the NZ Millennium Cup 2021 14 - 18 February.

“We’re excited to stage this significant regatta in our own special part of the globe - we can’t wait to share our slice of heaven with the international superyacht industry as they arrive in our country. With up to 40 superyachts expected, New Zealanders will delight in delivering the best of Kiwi hospitality as we welcome our guests to Kiwi shores and share our New Zealand cruising grounds.”

The New Zealand Millennium Cup has a tradition of a skiff regatta; started by Mike and Tracy Mahoney, owners of Tawera. All yachts enter teams and the racing is just as fierce as on the Millennium Cup regatta course - and not even half as skilled. The prize? Twenty litres of Mount Gay Rum in a wooden barrel emblazoned with the regatta’s logo and designed to be used for celebrations during the regatta. 

The Challenge once again didn't disappoint, with crew taking to the wooden skiffs with gusto, enthusiasm - and clumsiness - all in pursuit of a 20 litre barrel of Mount Gay Rum. Sassafras' team A scored extra points for style as the only team to end up with a crewmember rowing the wrong way for some of the course, while Bianca Cook demonstrated her skills are multidisciplinary - looking comfortable from the outset. 

Four teams made it to the finals and, with Russell Beach lined with spectators to cheer them on, they were off on a running start. Dealing to the first leg in record time, things got rocky at the buoy as a clash slowed the Kawil team down. Nothing was slowing the Adele team down though, with her crew team A unstoppable as they stormed towards the rum barrel and the win.

A huge thanks to Mike and Tracy Mahoney for making this possible and their ongoing support of the regatta - we can't wait to see you back next year! ​

There were no complaints about a delayed start due to lack of wind on Boat International race day of the NZ Millennium Cup. The local dolphin pod joined the fleet at the start as has become their habit, keeping owners and crew entertained as they waited for the starter’s gun.

Regular, fierce competitor, 34metre Silvertip crossed the line exactly on the starter’s horn on the Bay of Islands course, impressing all spectator boats with her timeliness. She wasn’t the only one; Kawil and Sassafras had both made their own strong starts. ​

It was active, exciting racing. Adele took a high line, searching for wind as the rest of the fleet made its way towards the Black Rocks across the Bay, before tacking to head towards the Ninepin. Spectators were treated to plenty of tacking and gibing, each yacht choosing its own line as they fought for wind in the light airs.

Kawil and Silvertip turned towards the mark together and with an impressive surge of power, Silvertip was past Kawil. A slick slide around the Ninepin and she made the joust for position look like a jaunt.

Kawil wasn’t letting it go, though. As they came out from behind the mark, the bags were coming out, both raised their kites smartly and they were back to neck and neck. Lighter Kawil was heading for clear air and her run for the mark.

Adele wasn’t far behind. Fishermen dotted around Ninepin thrilled to the sight of the 54 metre’s giant red kite raised and flying as she headed for the Orams Marine mark. By the time she reached it, the big Vitters had overhauled Kawil to sit in second, before hunting down Silvertip on the home leg, to cross the line first, Silvertip behind her, then Kawil, then Royal Huisman-built Sassafras, before Janice of Wyoming.

At the end of day two, Kawil was the leader overall on points, though Adele’s wins weren’t over for the day.

The New Zealand Millennium Cup has a tradition of a skiff regatta; started by Mike and Tracy Mahoney, owners of Tawera. All yachts enter teams and the racing is just as fierce as on the Millennium Cup regatta course - and not even half as skilled. The prize? Twenty litres of Mount Gay Rum in a wooden barrel emblazoned with the regatta’s logo and designed to be used for celebrations during the regatta.

The Challenge once again didn't disappoint, with crew taking to the wooden skiffs with gusto, enthusiasm - and clumsiness - all in pursuit of a 20 litre barrel of Mount Gay Rum. Sassafras' team A scored extra points for style as the only team to end up with a crewmember rowing the wrong way for some of the course, while Bianca Cook demonstrated her skills are multidisciplinary - looking comfortable from the outset. 

Four teams made it to the finals and, with Russell Beach lined with spectators to cheer them on, they were off on a running start. Dealing to the first leg in record time, things got rocky at the buoy as a clash slowed the Kawil team down. Nothing was slowing the Adele team down though, with her crew team A unstoppable as they stormed towards the rum barrel and the win.

The 2020 regatta is raced from 28 January to 1 February and, as it has for the past several years, take place in the Bay of Islands.

This iteration of the regatta will be repeated into 2021 where it will evolve again as the J Class Association will join the event, to create a bumper regatta where up to 40 yachts are expected.