The world’s most southerly superyacht regatta is officially underway, marked by a welcome function hosting owners, crew and sponsors of the event staged in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands.

With the well-known voice of sailing stalwart Peter Montgomery ringing across New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, the first superyacht regatta of 2018 was officially declared open tonight.

Kicking off festivities was a welcome function on the edge of the water where the fleet was formally greeted to the regatta at the Duke of Marlborough; an historic hotel renowned for entertaining sailors since the birth of the modern New Zealand nation. ​

Over the next week, the adventurous yachts of the fleet will race in one of the world’s great natural playgrounds, competing on challenging courses which weave around some of the 144 islands of the Bay of Islands.

“We’re seeing more and more yachts putting the world’s most southerly superyacht regatta on their bucket list. As we welcomed our fleet this evening, the buzz in the air was palpable and we’re looking forward to seeing that grow in coming years as more vessels commit themselves to the challenge,” says organiser, Stacey Cook.

Superyacht visits to New Zealand are slated to steadily increase as the sailing nation builds towards hosting the America’s Cup in 2021, with that growing number set to bolster the NZ Millennium Cup fleet. The regatta is intrinsically linked to the America’s Cup - the first edition of the NZ Millennium Cup was raced in 2000 alongside the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland which saw the largest ever fleet of superyachts to visit New Zealand shores.

With the sun sinking into the water beyond Russell, guests were treated to Mount Gay Black Doris Plum cocktails, Allan Scott Wines and Rogue Society gin while they compared tales of past glory and future feats.
Competition is always fierce amongst the yachts which reach the regatta in this special part of the world; and 2018’s edition gives them an extra opportunity to flex their muscle.

Entry Tawera has brought six rowing skiffs to the regatta and will be challenging crew of other yachts to a race in the boats off Russell’s beach with the grand prize, a 20 litre keg of Mount Gay Rum. With the highly competitive nature of the entries, spectators are expecting this smaller race to have all the ferocity to be exhibited on the main course.

The regatta begins in earnest tomorrow with two races expected to take place in order to make the most of the conditions. Entries Silvertip, Janice of Wyoming, Sassafras, Tawera, Enso and Ammonite will be taking to the course from 11am, working to a 50% handicap system to ensure close racing.
The New Zealand Millennium Cup is organised by the NZ Marine Export Group and a group of dedicated New Zealand superyacht figures. With three days of high quality racing, exceptional hospitality and stunning views in one of the most picturesque cruising destinations in the world, this event is truly unique and a must do for adventurous owners

As a focal point for both the local industry and for the global brands looking for more exposure in the growing market, the NZ Millennium Cup is supported by a number of sponsors, including platinum sponsor Orams Marine, and gold sponsors Smuggler Marine, Bay of Islands Marina, Doyle Sails New Zealand and Servcorp.

Silver sponsors include OnFire Design, Breed Media, COAST New Zealand, Events Clothing,  Southern Spars/North Sails, Upholstery Specialists and Martronics EAL

Introducing the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club

We’re pleased to introduce an exciting new supporter of this year’s NZ Millennium Cup. The Royal Nomuka Yacht Club will be proudly supporting our Wednesday evening festivities at the Duke of Marlborough, while entry Ammonite will be racing under the Royal Nomuka burgee.
Adventurer, Don McIntyre now calls Nomuka Iki home after a lifetime of adventures which have taken him around the world. The beautiful, uninhabited island in the Kingdom of Tonga is owned by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a-'Ulukalala, who in October 2015 raised the burgee of the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club there for the first time.

“While Tongan sailors used to rule the Pacific, sadly they no longer sail. They are the only Pacific nation not a part of the Oceania Sailing Federation and I hope to reverse this with the first ever sail training fleet of six optimist dinghies including rescue boat and safety gear now in Tonga,” says McIntyre.

“The first challenge is to teach the kids to swim, then form the Tongan Sailing Federation before finally joining the Oceania Sailing Federation. Once the Club house is built, we start local construction of Five 6.5m Tahiti Wayfarer, twin hull ethnic sailing canoes, with Crab Claw sails and traditional Polynesian steering oars. A nine-day live-in formal VAKA sailing school will then train Tongan youth 15-25 in the culture, history and skill of sailing traditional craft. Ultimately we will introduce Lasers and Hobbie 16’s.”

McIntyre’s organisation, McIntyre Adventure is underwriting and kick starting the entire operation, which will cover the Optimist training fleet and teaching aids at a cost of AU$34,000, RNYC building and infrastructure AU$240,000 and five 6.5m Vakas AU$50,000.

“We hope to find passionate new supporters and partners in this important Tongan effort to reintroduce this lost art to young Tongans. We will launch that drive globally at the NZ 2018 Millennium Cup."

The Royal Nomuka Yacht Club is offering the following sponsor packages:
1. Six-year sponsorship and signage on each Optimist for AU$4000.
2. Three founding partnerships in the RNYC for AU$40,000.
3. Six-year sponsorship and signage of a VAKA (2019-2023) are available for AU$6000.
4. Life membership to the RNYC (subject to approval by a flag officer) are available for AU$1000. Annual general membership is only AU$50.

“Marcus Blackmore and Caroline Furlong have become our first life members and Blackmores Laboratories has accepted one of the three RNYC Founding Partnerships. Two remain,” says McIntyre.   

“The Royal Nomuka Yacht Club welcomes Ammonite to its register of member yachts and as Commodore, I am very excited to be sailing onboard with Marcus Blackmore and flying our Burgee as a RNYC entry in the 2018 Millennium Cup,” he continues.

The RNYC is proud to be Host Yacht Club and organiser of the 50th Anniversary  www.GoldenGlobeRace.com with all 26 entrants now honorary members. McIntyre Adventure is also underwriter of this event. This solo non-stop race around the world is attracting huge global interest. The 2018 Golden Globe Race celebrates traditional values and a return to the golden age of sailing. That means sailing small rugged traditional yachts up to 36ft long without the benefit of satellite based navigation aids or any digital equipment. Skippers must navigate using sextant, paper charts and wind-up chronometer, and record their experiences on paper, tape and celluloid film. Like the original 1968 Sunday Times Race, the 2018 Golden Globe Race is very simple.

Depart Les Sables d’Olonne France 1st July 2018 and sail solo around the world via the five great capes.
Return to Les Sables d’Olonne without stopping.

The challenge is pure and very raw; one based on human endeavour that sets this event apart as the greatest test of personal endurance and character.

Royal Nomuka Yacht Club

https://www.facebook.com/goldengloberace/
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We want to see the photos and action crew and guests capture from their unique angle onboard, and we've got prizes for the best shots. Upload photos of the action on the water to Instagram or Facebook, tag in the Millennium Cup and use the tag #racelikewedo to be in to win a magnum of champagne.

Make sure the post is set to public so we can see all your great shots, and tag in the name of your boat so we can make sure your prize gets to you. Winners will be announced at Friday evening's prizegiving. 

​Good luck!

Instagram: @millenniumcup_regatta
Facebook: @NewZealandMillenniumCup

A former America’s Cup principal race officer heads up the Race Committee of the NZ Millennium Cup, as previous competitors encourage yachts heading south for the Pacific season to get involved in the world’s most southerly superyacht regatta.

With just 15 days to go until the 2018 superyacht regatta season begins, organisers of the first regatta of the year, the NZ Millennium Cup, are reporting strong interest. The entry of Oyster 825, Enso coincided with news Bucket Rating/International Superyacht Rule creator Jim Teeters will travel to New Zealand to handicap the race onsite.

“We’re seeing an increase in superyachts and industry figures wanting to travel to this part of the world,” says organiser Stacey Cook. “New Zealand’s America’s Cup win has seen a resurgence of interest in cruising New Zealand while the wider South Pacific is expected to experience a bumper 2018 season.”

The regatta is raced in the Bay of Islands, one of the world’s great natural playgrounds, and its reputation amongst owners has spread via word of mouth. "We have raced the NZ Millennium Cup multiple times with Silvertip since its first edition in 2000, and won it twice. Racing in the Bay of Islands surrounded by a dolphin pod playing at the bow is always a treat. The organisation is flawless, the scenery second to none and the racing quite competitive.

Any superyacht cruising in the Pacific should make a point doing the NZ Millennium Cup,” says the owner of S/Y Silvertip. With the release of the Notice of Race, it has been announced that former America’s Cup principal race officer, Harold Bennett will act as the Cup’s officer of the day, bringing his extensive experience to bear to ensure competitive, exciting racing. Fellow New Zealand sailing legend Peter Montgomery will be onsite, while Tom Schnackenberg and Olympians Matt Belcher and Will Ryan will make up some of the crew onboard the six entrants who have registered to date.

​ “Sailing is in New Zealanders’ DNA,” continues Cook. “The NZ Millennium Cup regatta is unique in that race crew are often comprised of a mix of America’s Cup and round-the-world sailors which makes for skilled racing - while they also enjoy showing off their home waters to superyacht owners. For the owners who come to this adventurous pocket of the world the result is an incredible regatta that couldn’t be recreated anywhere else.” 

—-

2018’s edition will be raced in New Zealand’s subtropical playground of the Bay of Islands from 23 - 26 January. With the next America’s Cup series likely to be raced in Auckland, NZ Millennium Cup organisers are expecting to see a quick uptick in entries over the next four years as increasing numbers of yachts discover the delights of Pacific cruising. 

Headed by the NZ Marine Export Group and a dedicated committee, the event is one which supplies a wealth of exciting racing, and which is becoming well-known as a must-do regatta for yacht owners who like to get off the beaten track.
The regatta is designed to highlight the importance of the superyacht sector in New Zealand’s marine industry, as well as showcase some of the country’s most visually-striking cruising grounds in a truly unique manner.

Featuring great racing, adventurous yachts, unbeatable cruising scenery and an inside look into New Zealand’s marine industry, the highly-anticipated NZ Millennium Cup is one to add to 2018’s racing calendar.

The world’s most southerly superyacht regatta has released its 2018 notice of race. The New Zealand Millennium Cup attracts yachts with a penchant for adventure and was first run as an accompaniment to the 2000 America’s Cup in Auckland.

2018’s edition will be raced in New Zealand’s subtropical playground of the Bay of Islands from 23 - 26 January and is already drawing in entries from across the Pacific. With the next America’s Cup series likely to be raced in Auckland, NZ Millennium Cup organisers are expecting to see a quick uptick in entries over the next four years as increasing numbers of yachts discover the delights of Pacific cruising.

First time entrant, Ammonite will make her way to the regatta from Tonga. The Southern Wind-built yacht is a member of the Royal Namuka Yacht Club in Tonga and will be carrying the club’s founder - renowned adventurer Don McIntyre, when she races in the Cup.

“We will have a crack crew assembled for the Cup including Olympians Matt Belcher and Will Ryan; who are current 470 World champions. We are still learning about the yacht after only three regattas, and we are keen to do well and really looking forward to being in the Bay of Islands,” said Ammonite owner, Marcus Blackmore.

Ammonite will be joined by 2017 entrants, Tawera, Janice of Wyoming and Silvertip, alongside Royal Huisman-built Sassafras. Silvertip cuts a regular, sleek figure on Millennium Cup courses and her owner is looking forward to returning to the race in 2018. 

"We have raced the Millennium Cup multiple times with Silvertip since its first edition in 2000, and won it twice. It is always a special event which deserves much more success. Racing in the Bay of Islands surrounded by a dolphin pod playing at the bow is always a treat. The organisation is flawless, the scenery second to none and the racing quite competitive. Any superyacht cruising in the Pacific should make a point of doing the Mill Cup,” said the 34-metre’s owner.

This year’s Cup will be raced under the auspices of Russell Boating Club, with the ISYR’s Jim Teeters controlling handicapping. As the first regatta of the year on the superyacht circuit, the Cup attracts yachts which enjoy the camaraderie and adventure of a regatta that’s out of the ordinary.

The backdrop of the Bay of Islands makes for spectacular, but challenging, courses and New Zealand’s famous brand of hospitality means on-shore events are carried out to an exceptional standard with an inescapable element of Kiwi warmth and flair.

Central Auckland shipyard, Orams Marine returns as platinum sponsor of the event, with many of the yachts competing carrying hallmarks of the yard’s work. 

This year two media sponsors have lined up to be involved. Leading Australasian superyacht magazine, Ocean Media is once again lending its support to the regatta and is joined by European heavyweight Boat International. Long time supporter of the regatta, Smuggler Marine, has returned to the regatta as a gold sponsor, alongside Doyle Sails New Zealand and Bay of Islands Marina. They’re joined by silver sponsors Onfire Design, Breed Media, and COAST New Zealand. 

Headed by the NZ Marine Export Group and a dedicated committee, the event is always one which supplies a wealth of exciting racing, and which is becoming well-known as a must-do regatta for yacht owners who like to get off the beaten track.

The regatta is designed to highlight the importance of the superyacht sector in New Zealand’s marine industry, as well as showcase some of the country’s most visually-striking cruising grounds in a truly unique manner.
​
Featuring great racing, adventurous yachts, unbeatable cruising scenery and an inside look into New Zealand’s marine industry, the highly-anticipated NZ Millennium Cup is one to add to 2018’s racing calendar.

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