This year’s NZ Millennium Cup has officially begun tonight, with competitors bunkering down overnight to ensure they come out swinging first thing in the morning.

NZ Millennium Cup

The NZ Millennium Cup kicked off tonight, Thursday local time, with a cocktail party and briefing for captains and owners in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Organisers, sponsors, owners, captains and crew were happy to get together and start the festivities after months of hard prep with their backdrop, Auckland city, bathed in the setting sun, highlighting perfect racing conditions.

But the relaxation was short-lived as the captains and owners were soon whisked away upstairs for the serious business of the course briefing. The regatta will be raced to the International Super Yacht Rule giving each yacht an equal shot at the cup, and making for an exciting-to-watch and thrilling-to-race, regatta.

With instructions in hand, it was back to the reception room of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, for NZ Millennium Cup chairman, Stuart Robinson’s opening address.

After thanking the weather gods, Robinson turned the thanks on the owners of regatta entrants. Acknowledging that without owners willing to take the path less travelled and make it down to this southern-most of superyacht regattas, there would be no event.

Thanks also went to the sponsors for their commitment and drive in giving the NZ Millennium Cup the unique vibe it has, and for their tireless efforts to promote and drive-forward local industry. With the formalities out of the way, guests were free to relax and enjoy the hospitality of the opening evening, with the bar sponsored by AON Marine and Sturge Taylor Associates Ltd & Insurance Brokers International Ltd.

With a bit of friendly banter between crew, it was all off to bed; ready for an early start and some fierce racing.