First blood to superyacht Georgia in 2012 NZ Millennium Cup regatta

S/Y Georgia, the largest yacht in the 2012 NZ Millennium Cup, was the comfortable winner of the first race (Thursday 15 February)in the international regatta for superyachts being held on Auckland harbour.

The 48.5-metre Georgia, with top Kiwi sailor Chris Dickson, on the helm, crossed the finish line off Westhaven in front of current Millennium Cup holder Silvertip (33.8 metres) and the 39.6-metre Janice of Wyoming.

Georgia, which was christened at the stroke of midnight 2000, was the first superyacht of the new millennium and, at the time of her launch, was the largest sloop in the world.

Built by Alloy Yachts in Henderson, Auckland, Georgia is a Scanu, Dalrymple-Smith, Johnson design and won acclaim in 2000 as the winner of the Showboats’ Most Innovative Sailing Yacht/Best Sailing Yacht Over 38 metres Award.

The 2012 NZ Millennium Cup regatta will continue tomorrow with two races and conclude with a final race on Saturday.

All races are sailed on the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf and there are good vantage points for spectators at Devonport, North Head, Bastion Point, on the East Coast Bays and Whanagaparoa Peninsula.

The NZ Millennium Cup, which is now an annual event, is organised by NZ Marine Export Group, the industry association responsible for promoting the NZ Marine industry to the world.

The regatta is designed to showcase New Zealand’s impressive superyacht build and refit industry and facilities. It includes a strong mix of sailing races and social events and is expected to quickly become the premier event for superyachts in the South Pacific.

The 2012 NZ Millennium Cup is generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsors: Yachting Developments; Gold Sponsors: Alloy Yachts, Integrated Marine Group and Touch of Spice; Silver Sponsors: Dubois Yachts, Events Clothing and Doyle Sails, Fitzroy Yachts and Smuggler Marine, Corporate Sponsors:  Yard 37, ATEED, Waterfront Auckland; Media Partners: The Superyacht Group and Ocean Media and supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.