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!

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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.” 

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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.

Delta sails have been developed as a sail solution for cruising and racing yachts under 15 metres (50 ft). Utilizing the same adhesives and lamination process from our Stratis plant these sails offer similar benefits as our premier product.

A modern alternative to the traditional panelled sail construction, Delta provides you with high-quality fibre options and proven fibre layouts. Specifically designed for the local cruising and club racing yachts these sails are built for versatility, performance and longevity.  

Customised designs and engineering are based off tried and tested moulds to suit the size and purpose of sail. 

The choice of fibres used in Delta laminates include Black Technora and Carbon with the option for white taffeta or clear UV films. Technora fibres are extremely durable and resistant to flex fatigue, whereas Carbon fibre's have the ability to resist stretch and maintain great shape retention over the life of the sail

Delta sails take Doyle’s winning combination of engineering and production expertise and leverage the efficiencies developed over many years of producing the world’s largest sails to deliver a durable, performance focused sail to racers and cruisers alike.

See the Difference with Delta by Doyle…

​Smuggler Marine had an impressive line-up of 11 boats at the recent Auckland On Water Boat Show, including two new models, the Strata 780 SS and the Strata 580. The show was held outside in Auckland’s typically-crazy spring weather – four seasons in one day, but this didn’t stop the public coming to see what Smuggler had on offer for 2017.
 
Smuggler’s new 780 SS was a show stopper, with many customers wanting test rides and information on this revolutionary design; with twin consoles and a walk-through Bowrider giving access to the forward lounge area. This is a great option as a tender, an incredible hull with 27 degree deep V gives unrivalled performance, keeping guests dry and safe in all conditions.
 
The new Smuggler Strata 580, an outboard RIB with large forward area, dive bottle stowage and practical seating options is a great riding RIB for all purposes, crew tender or day boat. There was a great number of people interested in this option.
 
Another model on show was an old favourite the Strata 750 CC, with black carbon-style hypalon tubes, black hull and console and black powder coated S/S work. ‘Blackhawk’ received rave reviews, and Smuggler will no doubt be building several more of this model for the NZ summer season.
 
All Smuggler tenders from 6m upwards can be powered by outboard, inboard, jet drive or stern drive.

The team at Breed Media is well-known for market-leading superyacht and photography work, and we're proud to have them onboard as the regatta's photographers and videographers. 

There is another side to their work however, and it's one they love; discovering and communicating the uniqueness of companies and individuals.  

"We were recently approached by Adam Lay, founder of the award winning Adam Lay Studio. Adam wished to communicate both who he is and what his approach to design is. Having a very organic and artistic design process, it was important to Adam to highlight his point of difference – this being his unique artisan and relationship-driven approach to design," says Breed Media client strategy manager, Tim Kershaw. 

​It's been a busy first half of the year for long-time supporter of the NZ Millennium Cup, Smuggler Marine. 

A growing number of superyachts around the globe have Smuggler tenders gracing their decks, and garages. Working with clients like S/Y Mondango, S/Y Janice of Wyoming, M/Y Diamond A and S/Y Imagine as well as yards and designers, captains and crew direct, the west Auckland-based company has established a reputation for excellent service, outstanding quality, on-time delivery and unparalleled confidence in product, with many customers coming back time and again. Feedback and reviews from clients and captains has always been glowing, which has translated to more Smuggler tenders on more superyacht decks. The world has become a very small place with the way we now communicate and move freight around the world, buying a tender from the other side of the world is now effortless.

Product news 
The latest release is the Smuggler Strata 780 SS. Based on the incredibly well proven Strata 750 platform, the 780 SS is a bow rider-style RIB. Interior layout includes two side consoles, allowing for a walk -through screen to access the generous, protected, forward lounge area. With substantial cockpit space and luxurious seating options both forward and aft of the curved windscreen, the interior gives plenty of scope for customisation. The lower profile and sleek lines of the 780 have been styled for owners who appreciate performance and flexibility, while maintaining quality and understated class.

Another of our new tenders is the Smuggler 740SYT. Featuring a low deck profile, generous guest seating area and uncompromising quality, the 740SYT combines the best fixtures and fittings with streamlined elegance and simplicity. The first one was shipped to its new owners in UAE in June 2017, the owners had considerable input into the design layout and the result was stunning. 

Staff news
Smuggler Marine directors David and Pauline Pringle have recently appointed two key people to help run production and drive sales. Ash Weeks, who recently returned from overseas working on superyachts and is a qualified boat builder, has taken on the role of marketing and production.

Logan Pringle, a qualified builder, has an extensive background in boating having won the NZ national Thundercat racing champion title more than once. Logan has been around Smuggler Marine since he could walk, having helped at many boat shows over the years. Now working full-time, Logan is taking an active role in sales as well as looking after some of the more technical areas of production.

New facilities
Recently Smuggler Marine opened a showroom warehouse where all new boats are housed. This facility is next door to the manufacturing facility, meaning clients are able to see boats under construction, as well as the finished product in a warm dry showroom when they come for a visit. "We encourage owners to be present throughout the build process and welcome visits to check progress. For our overseas clients, we send regular shots to show milestones and record progress."

About Smuggler Marine 
Smuggler Marine is a boutique boat building business based in west Auckland, New Zealand,  and dating back to 1986. Smuggler builds and sells a wide range of fibreglass tenders and family cruisers from 4.5 to 11.5 metres. factory direct. Our in-house design team and ability to custom-finish tenders gives owners, captains and crew unique choice and control to spec and build a craft that suits their individual requirements.