The 2021 New Zealand Millennium Cup’s Notice of Race (NOR) has just been released, attracting the attention of many big names in superyacht racing. Frequent competitors in global superyacht regattas like J Class Velsheda, Win Win, Pumula, Kawil, and Wavelength will join regular NZ Millennium Cup entries Silvertip, Tawera, Sassafras, and Janice of Wyoming as they race in the world’s southernmost regatta.
Also joining them for the first time in the adventurous Antipodean race will be Black Sails, Ciliam, Altair, Ammonite, Hetairos, and Anemoi.
“New Zealand in early 2021 will truly be the place to be for anyone passionate about exceptional yacht racing,” says event manager Stacey Cook. “The regatta is based in Russell in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, which is an incredibly special part of the world. We’re expecting up to 35 yachts to enter.”
The historic village of Russell is the gateway to the Bay of Islands and is also known as Kororāreka, or sweet penguin. Today the little blue penguins that give it its name still wander up the beach to nest under the wooden boards of beachside buildings; many built when Europeans first arrived in New Zealand. “If this isn’t heaven, then it’s just next door,” said sailing legend and regatta ambassador Peter Montgomery when describing sailing in the Bay of Islands.
Prior to the NZ Millennium Cup superyacht regatta, event organizers are also hosting the world’s first superyacht fishing competition. Crews will fish for snapper, kahawai, or game fish.
The Bay of Islands-based events will be followed by the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta in Auckland. “Entries are lining up for the Regatta where many of the NZ Millennium Cup fleet will continue their rivalry,” says RNZYS’ Andrew Delves. A J Class Championship will follow a J Class Exhibition race, and then the 36th America’s Cup Match will round out the competition in March 2021.
The New Zealand Millennium Cup will be in its 13th edition in 2021, and was first raced as an adjunct to the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland. Now, with the 36th America’s Cup approaching, organizers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s cruising grounds.
Visit millenniumcup.com for more information.
