Millennium Cup queen

The 28m ketch Tawera lifted her skirts and romped home to take the title at this year’s edition of the Millennium Cup – the world’s most southerly superyacht regatta – held in the Bay of Islands. It was the 11th edition of the event.

The regatta is designed to highlight the importance of the superyacht sector in New Zealand’s marine industry, as well as showcase some of the country’s most visually-striking cruising grounds. With the approach of the 36th America’s Cup, organisers expect to see the competing fleet swell exponentially over the next three years.

The event attracts yachts with a penchant for adventure and is lauded by entrants for the sense of camaraderie found in this part of the world. “We’re already receiving entry enquiries for 2020 and 2021,” says event organiser, Stacey Cook.

“The J Class Association has also accepted our invitation to race in 2021 and we know having the strikingly-elegant classic yachts race alongside the event will add an extra dimension to our racing.”

At the prizegiving later in the evening at the Duke of Marlborough, Freya’s owner summed up the feel of the regatta. “It’s fantastic to come to this beautiful place, in this beautiful country, in the beautiful Bay of Islands. I’d like to say thank you for the hospitality and the wonderful, wonderful time.”

The event is organized by the NZ Millennium Cup Committee and the New Zealand Marine Export Group Inc. under the auspices of the Russell Boating Club.