Yachting Developments’ Ian Cook discusses his picks for the NZ Millennium Cup Superyacht Regatta

Yachting Developments’ Ian Cook weighs in on the yachts which will go head-to-head in NZ Millennium Cup – Bay of Islands New Zealand January 27th 2016. 

With a New Zealand summer rapidly heating up, the South Pacific nation’s marinas are filling with yachts ready for a season of cruising - and of racing as the NZ Millennium Cup kicks off in January. 

Ian Cook, of Cup gold sponsor, Yachting Developments, is looking forward to seeing fast, fun racing on the waters of his home cruising ground. The New Zealand yard has been responsible for the build or refit of many entries past and present, giving Cook insight into which yachts have the goods to perform when the regatta starts on 27 January. 

The Auckland yard built former entries, 37-metre Bliss, and 33.8-metre Silvertip, as well as conducting an extensive refit on local racing legend, Steinlager 2, which will again return to the race. 

“We’re expecting Silvertip to show her speed again this year. She’s an absolute thoroughbred and her crew know how to get the best out of her on this course.” 

The award-winning yacht, designed by fellow sponsor, Ed Dubois, is a favourite on the course and thrilled spectators of 2015’s regatta when she went head-to-head with fellow Yachting Developments build, Bliss. 

“Silvertip performed beautifully in 2015’s regatta, and we’re looking forward to seeing her go up against new entries Kealoha and Tawera. With the pace Silvertip is capable of displaying, the handicaps she was given gave her the chance to show her exceptional turns of speed as she came up from behind the fleet,” says Cook. 

“We’re really pleased to have Yachting Developments join us once again as sponsors,” says NZ Millennium Cup chairman Stuart Robinson. “They’ve been fantastic supporters of the regatta, and without Yachting Development’s-built yachts racing on the course, the NZ Millennium Cup wouldn’t be what it is.” 

New entries include Allegro and Steinlager 2 in the Pacific Division, with 33-metre Shamoun joining the Millennium Cup fleet. Sponsors have been quick to jump onboard too, with Orams Marine signing on as platinum sponsor, supported by gold sponsors Smuggler Marine, Doyle Sails New Zealand, Far North Holdings/Port Opua and Yachting Developments. 

The NZ Millennium Cup runs from the 27-29 January 2016, and is raced in one of the world’s great natural playgrounds; the Bay of Islands. Organised by the NZ Marine Export Group and a dedicated committee of some of New Zealand's most pre-eminent superyacht industry figures, the NZ Millennium Cup is a celebration of good racing, great cruising grounds and exceptional hospitality. 

Drawing attention to New Zealand’s beautiful cruising grounds, skilled workforce and innovative industry, we’re looking forward to delivering an event which showcases the best of our superyacht sector in a relaxed, recognisably-Kiwi style.

The regatta’s silver sponsors include OnFire Design, Breed Media, Dubois, Integrated Marine Group, Southern Spars/North Sails and Robinson Interiors, and the regatta is also supported by Holton Marine, Maxwell Marine, Kit Carlier Design, Whiting Power Systems, Harken New Zealand - Fosters, Events Clothing, Q-West, Tourism NZ, COAST, Hancocks and our media sponsors The Superyacht Owner and Ocean Media.