Regatta ready
The 2025 New Zealand Millennium Cup has announced its notice of race and sponsors, with early entries confirmed.
Photography by Jeff Brown
21 September 2024
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The notice of race for the 2025 New Zealand Millennium Cup has been released. As the regatta prepares to return to Auckland for the second consecutive year, six early entries have already been confirmed prior to the official release, with more expected following a successful 2024 edition.
“We really enjoyed our time at the New Zealand Millennium Cup regatta,” says Burger van der Walt, captain of Perseus^3 and winner of the 2024 NZ Millennium Cup. “From the first contact right through to racing, the people are genuine, and it was the most down-to-earth, real fun, and welcoming experience; it’s a regatta the way regattas should be.
“The course is well laid out for all sized vessels, captains were consulted in race planning, and our deep draft was accommodated. It’s very intimate, very welcoming, and very well-organised. If you want to experience racing down under, you need to race this regatta.”
The 2025 regatta will take place on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour from 1 to 4 February.
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“We’re thrilled to officially release the notice of race,” says organiser Stacey Cook. “We had a number of yachts eager to enter, and we have some impressive yachts lining up for 2025, including Sea Eagle, Sassafras, Sharlou, Janice of Wyoming, Kawil, and Legend.”
Sponsors have shown strong support for the event. Platinum sponsor Orams Marine is returning, while Royal Huisman will journey from the Netherlands to join the regatta as gold sponsor.
“Being part of the NZ Millennium Cup is a great opportunity for our WASSP Ocean Solutions team to engage closely with other marine industry leaders and our world-class customers in a typically relaxed Kiwi environment; that is until the racing starts,” says Gareth Hodson, managing director of ENL Group. Other returning sponsors include Southern Spars/North Sails and Smuggler Marine, alongside a number of supporting companies.
Cook adds: “Racing in the heart of our harbour city is an experience we love to provide. These waters have hosted America’s Cup showdowns, Volvo Ocean Race starts, and honed generations of New Zealand sailors. We know they’re a challenging and picturesque place to race.”
The regatta’s headquarters form a private enclave in central Auckland, providing a gathering point for owners, crew and race teams.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, is situated between two large harbours. With award-winning superyacht marinas, refit yards and thriving entertainment precincts fringing the water, it’s a location which lends itself to world-class regattas and enjoyable events both on and off the ocean.
Entries for the 2025 NZ Millennium Cup are now open, with entry forms available online.
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