Alloy sailing yacht TAWERA wins NZ Millennium Cup 2019

By Rebecca Bradbury 4 February 2019

The 28m/92ft superyacht TAWERA has been crowned the winner of this year’s NZ Millennium Cup after dominating three days of racing in New Zealand’s scenic Bay of Islands.

Running from 30 to 2 February, the 11th edition of the annual regatta welcomed an impressive fleet of five sailing yachts to the Bay of Islands for three days of thrilling racing.

The action got off to a fine start on day one, with clear skies and a moderate breeze creating ideal sailing conditions and, in the opening race, TAWERA notched up her first victory.

sailing yacht TAWERA competes at the NZ Millennium Cup 2019 in the Bay of Islands

However, the first and only time the Alloy Yachts build faltered was in the second race of the day, when a disappointing performance meant she had to make do with third place.

Going into the second day of racing, she was in joint first place with regatta newcomer, the 28m/91ft sailing yacht FREYA from Nautor’s Swan. But she was able to replicate her winning ways in both races and ended day two of the NZ Millennium Cup at top of the leader board.

A lack of wind put a stop to racing on the morning of day three and only one race ended up going ahead. At first, it was FREYA who took the lead, wowing the crowd of spectators when she was joined by the local dolphin pod as she rounded the Orams Marine Mark.

sailing yacht Freya and sailing yacht TAWERA compete at the NZ Millennium Cup 2019 in New Zealand

charter yacht SILVERTIP competes at the NZ Millennium Cup 2019

crew aboard FREYA sit on edge of yacht during the NZ Millennium Cup 2019

TAWERA soon caught up, however, and, in the end, proved too tough to beat, finishing the day with another win under her belt and the overall title to her name – the third time she has done so.

In second place was FREYA, followed by Vitters’ 48m/159ft sailing yacht THALIA and the 33m/109ft sailing yacht SILVERTIP from Yachting Developments in third and fourth place respectively.

Unfortunately, the 34m/112ft sailing yacht SASSAFRAS from Royal Huisman had to drop out on the first day of racing due to technical difficulties.