New Zealand Millennium Cup 2017 Hailed a Success

By Rebecca Bradbury 30 January 2017

The NZ Millennium Cup 2017 came to a close on Friday 27^th January after three days of nail-biting action in New Zealand’s beautiful Bay of Islands.

Each day of racing was dominated by the 28m/92ft sailing yacht TAWERA from New Zealand shipyard Alloy Yachts. In fine form, she took home the New Zealand Millennium Cup for the second year in a row following her triumph in 2016.

Good conditions meant the race committee picked a lengthier 27-nautical-mile course for the third and final day of racing, which saw the eight competing yachts orbit the extremity of the Nine Pin twice and flit past both Motuterakihi Island and Whale Rock.

Racing was marked by a thrilling series of combative boat-to-boat tacking duels across the bay, but none could foil TAWERA in her faultless pursuit to victory.

The 40m/130ft sailing yacht ‘Janice of Wyoming’ finished in second place on the final day to secure second place overall, while the 32m/104ft sailing yacht FARFALLA sailed into third place on day three and thus came third overall.

TAWERA cuts through the waters and takes home the NZ Millennium Cup 2017

racing crew aboard sailing yacht Cavallo at the NZ Millennium Cup 2017

charter yacht in action at the NZ Millennium Cup 2017

Delivered from South Africa’s Southern Wind in 2014, FARFALLA was one of three charter yachts competing in last week’s cup and is now available for charter in New Zealand until April when she will be heading to Fiji for the start of the summer season.

Recipient of a 2015 World Superyacht Award, she is a fine choice for those wishing to cruise in comfort, safety and style. Among her highlights are 270-degree interior views, a spacious fold-down beach club and soothing, Ralph Lauren-inspired styling.

Other charter yachts in contention included the 34m/110ft sailing yacht SILVERTIP from another New Zealand-based yard Yachting Developments. Coming in fourth, she was followed by the 43m/141ft sailing yacht CAVALLO from Baltic Yachts.

Both of these luxury yachts are also expected to be taking bookings in the South Pacific region for the upcoming months.