Super yacht fleet set to make super sight in February 2012 Millennium Cup

October 17, 2011
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A superb fleet of superyachts, all at least 30 metres long, will provide a thrilling spectacle when they compete in NZ Marine’s Millennium Cup in the Hauraki Gulf next February.

First held during Team’s NZ’s successful defence of the America’s Cup, the Millennium Cup will now be held annually, attracting some of the world’s most prestigious superyachts and helping to showcase New Zealand’s world-class superyacht building and refit industries.



According to Stuart Robinson, Chairman of NZ Marine’s Millennium Cup committee, the 2012 Millennium Cup has already attracted a top quality field of five highly impressive vessels, with strong interest from a “significant” number of others.

The confirmed entries, all of which were built in Auckland, range from the 31-metre S/Y Pacific Eagle to the 48.5-metre S/Y Georgia, both from the Henderson yard of Alloy Yachts. The latter, christened at the stroke of midnight 2000, was not only the first superyacht of the new millennium; she was also, at that time, the world’s largest sloop.

Also confirmed is the Yachting Developments-built 33.8-metre Silvertip, current holder of the Millennium Cup and the first yacht in the world to win both the Superyacht Society’s Best Sailing Yacht and Showboat’s Best Sailing Yacht awards.

Rounding out the current list of entries are the 39.6-metre S/Y Janice of Wyoming and the 44-metre S/Y Imagine, both also built by Alloy Yachts.

The yachts, their owners and guests and crew will enjoy an action-packed three days as part of the Millennium Cup festivities. On Thursday, February 16, the motor yachts will set off early for a rally that will take them to and around picturesque Waiheke Island.

The sailing yachts will start a little later and are certain to make a spectacular sight as they race around the Waitemata Harbour, no doubt to the delight of spectators on both land and sea.

The next day, the action shifts to Kawau Island as the fleet again provides a awe-inspiring spectacle, reaching up past the East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast.

After a “Kiwi’ barbecue dinner” on Kawau, showcasing some of the best New Zealand food and wine, the fleet will, on Saturday, race back to Auckland for the prizegiving and a farewell celebration.

“There is no doubt that the Millennium Cup is now the South Pacific’s premier regatta for superyachts,” says Robinson.

“It is also a great opportunity for the New Zealand marine industry to showcase its talent, especially in the export-driven superyacht new build and refit sectors.”

The 2012 Millennium Cup committee is pleased to announce that Alloy Yachts and Integrated Marine Group have come onboard as gold sponsors. Joining them is silver sponsor and the regatta’s official clothing partner Events Clothing and media partners The Superyacht Group and Ocean Media.

For more information, please contact:
Amy Welch
Project Manager
Phone: +64 21 02225143
Email: amy@millenniumcup.com
Website: www.millenniumcup.com