Cup clash
The NZ Millennium Cup’ notice of race for 2021 has just been released and the response has been quick with big names in superyacht regattas quickly entering.
12 March 2020
Dates are set for the 2021 NZ Millennium Cup, with the regatta going ahead from 15-18 February, coinciding with the Americas’ Cup Challenger series.
The global yachting world will head to New Zealand in 2021, with a calendar full of spectacular sailing events, all leading up to the America’s Cup from 6-21 March.
The NZ Millennium Cup will be followed by the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta back in Auckland.
“Entries are lining up for the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta where many of the NZ Millennium Cup fleet will continue their rivalry,” says RNZYS’ Andrew Delves.
A J Class Championship will follow before a J Class Exhibition race, and then the 36th America’s Cup Match will round out March 2021.
The NZ 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, organisers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s wider cruising grounds.
Sailing yachts Velsheda, Win Win, Pumula, Kawil, and Wavelength will compete in next year’s NZ Millennium Cup, alongside race regulars Silvertip, Tawera, Sassafras and Janice of Wyoming.
Also joining them for the first time in the adventurous antipodean race will be Black Sails, Cili-am, Altair, Ammonite, Hetairos, and Anemoi.
“The regatta is based in Russell, in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands which is an incredibly-special part of the world, and we’re expecting up to 35 yachts to enter,” says event manager Stacey Cook.
“New Zealand in early 2021 will truly be the place to be for anyone passionate about exceptional yacht racing, and says Cook. With the highest concentration of superyacht events ever seen, we’re looking forward to welcoming guests to our very special part of the world.”
| TIMELINE OF EVENTS FOR AC36 | DATE |
| NEW AC75’S LAUNCHED | August / September 2019 |
| WORLD SERIES PRELIMINARY EVENTS | Cagliari, Italy April 2020 |
| AC75 2ND BOATS LAUNCHED | Late 2020 – October / November |
| WORLD SERIES PRELIMINARY EVENTS | Possible Europe and USA and Auckland but not confirmed |
| Auckland to Kawau Race | 31-Dec-20 |
| Opening event (Race / Party) – New Year’s Day Race – Kawau Island | 1-Jan-21 |
| Kawau – Great barrier cruise (4 days) | 3-Jan-21 |
| Prada Challenger Series – Dates TBC after 30 June | Jan – Feb 2021 |
| Bay of Island Race week (4 days) | 26-Jan-21 |
| Auckland anniversary Day regatta | 1-Feb-21 |
| Sydney to Auckland race fleet arrives in Auckland (departs Sydney 30 Jan) | 3-6/02/2021 |
| Bay of Islands – NZ Millennium Cup (3 days) | 15/2/2021 – 18/02/2021 |
| Auckland – 52 Super series 1 (3 days) | 15-Feb-21 |
| Auckland – 52 Super series 2 (4 days) | 18-Feb-21 |
| Auckland – RNZYS AC Superyacht and J Regatta, (3 days) | 24-26 Feb 21 |
| Auckland – RNZYS AC J-Class Regatta (4 sailng days) | 1-5 March 2021 |
| Auckland – Classics Regatta (3 days) | 3-5 March 2021 |
| Superyacht networking series | 25-Feb-21 |
| America’s Cup members party | 5-Mar-21 |
| J-Class – Opening Day Race / Sail past | 6-Mar-21 |
| America’s Cup | 6-17 March 2021 |
| Youth America’s Cup Regatta (5 days) | TBA |
| Trans-Tasman Challenge (3 days) | 19-Mar-21 |
| 100th Lipton Cup Regatta | 20-Mar-21 |
| RNZYS 150th regatta | 9/4/21 |
| ANZAC Day | 25/4/21 |
| Off-shore race: Auckland to Southport departure | 30/5/21 |
| RNZYS 150TH ANNIVERSARY ON SHORE/SOCIAL | DATE |
| Royal 150th Ball | 21/8/21 |
| RNZYS 150th Book launch | 2/10/21 |
| Salute to the Services function | 4/11/21 |
| Kawau Island conservation project (Legacy project) | ongoing |
