The NZ Millennium Cup 2024 returns to Auckland!
Caroline Blatter 23 Feb 2024 Auckland / New Zealand / Regattas & Cruising Rallies
A Friday evening welcome function, sponsored by Benetti, marked the start of the South Pacific’s longest-running superyacht regatta. For the first time in a decade, the New Zealand Millennium Cup will be raced on Auckland’s waters from 23rd - 26th February.
The fleet will be taking on conditions which have been enjoyed by the world’s leading yachtsmen in America’s Cup and Round the World races, and experiencing the beauty of a harbour which turned a nation into sailors.
Returning to the regatta’s roots will also see the competing fleet moored in the central city, with the regatta’s social events at the stern.
“It’s a return to the intimate, fun racing we’ve always been so proud of and we can’t wait to share our beautiful city with the racing fleet,” says organiser Stacey Cook.
There is a friendly yet competitive feel to the Cup, with two racing divisions devised to add to the intensity of competition, with three large monohulls racing:
Sassafras (34.2m Royal Huisman), Janice of Wyoming (39.75m Alloy Yachts) and Perseus^3 (60m Perini Navi), and three multihulls:
sister-ships Kotuku (20m) and Cat +Ion (18.5m high performance Roger Hill designed cruising catamarans) and Outnumbered (20m Gunboat 66).
Owners, guests, crew and sponsors were welcomed to the regatta by NZ Marine's Peter Busfield, who led a rousing cheer for both returning competitors and new entrants to the fleet. With a number of competitors new to racing in Auckland, there was eager discussion of the three days of planned racing which will take in iconic spots among more than 50 islands of the Hauraki Gulf.
Principal race officer, Harold Bennett brought the business side of the regatta to the fore as he let the collected owners, captains and crew know what to expect over the next few days of racing.
With Benetti a sponsor of the NZ Millennium Cup over the last several years, the 2024 gold sponsor and welcome function sponsor, this year marked the first time a representative of Benetti had been able to join the regatta on site and the crowd was enthusiastic in its welcome of Benetti's Natalie Ye.
Well known to worldwide sailing circles over the decades, Mount Gay Rum continued the annual tradition of a "bespoke regatta cocktail!"
Introducing the 2024 NZ Millennium Cup Bermuda Triangle.
- Mount Gay Eclipse Rum (named after the 1910 total solar eclipse visible over Barbados!)
- Hand-pressed pineapple juice
- Orange bitters
- East Imperial Ginger Beer
"A good few days of sailing, camaraderie and fun lie ahead..."
Contacts
Stacey Cook
stacey@nzmarine.com
+64 9 376 7739
Photos
©Jeff Brown Breed Media
