The 2012 Millennium Cup regatta kicked off today in Auckland, New Zealand, with Georgia emerging victorious in the first race. The event was formally opened the previous evening with a welcome briefing and cocktail event at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Racing in the Millennium Cup are five yachts, all built in New Zealand: 32m Eclipse, built by Alloy Yachts in 1991; 48.5m Georgia, built by Alloy Yachts in 2000; 44m Imagine built by Alloy Yachts in 2010; 39.6mJanice of Wyoming, built by Alloy Yachts in 2005 and reigning champion 33.8m Silvertip, built by Yachting Developments in 2001. Races will take place over three days around the Waitamata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf.  The Superyacht Group is fortunate to have been welcomed on to the beautiful Imagine, designed by Dubois Naval Architects, for the regatta. 

Despite an ominous weather forecast, the weather held throughout the day and the fleet enjoyed bright sunshine for the opening day of the regatta. Before setting off yachts were given a traditional Maori farewell on the docks. Light winds delayed the start of the race by an hour, and prompted a slight course adjustment, but at 12 noon S/Y Georgia was off the mark. She was followed by Eclipse at 12.22, Janice of Wyoming at 12.30, Silvertip at 12.33 and finally Imagine at 12.50. On board many of the competing yachts was a veritable Who’s Who of yachting, with famous names such as Dean Barker and several of the Team Emirates NZ team on board Imagine, and Chris Dickson at the helm of Georgia.

As the race got underway winds picked up a little, and having rounded the mark back towards Auckland each yacht unfurled their spinnaker, making a striking sight for both participants and spectators onshore. In a fairly staggered finish, one by one the yachts crossed the finish line off Westhaven. Georgia took line honours, followed by Silvertip, then Janice of Wyoming, Eclipse and finally Imagine. Some adjustment to the handicap times for day two is expected, to ensure a closer finish for the yachts. With the yachts all safely docked up, racing was followed by a cocktail hour at the floating pavilion on Te Weto island. Racing will recommence tomorrow, with two races to take place on Day Two.