Cannons, dolphins and an overall winner of the NZ Millennium Cup

The regatta, which ran from 28-31 March, is one of the must-do regattas on the world superyacht circuit and has garnered a reputation as a fun, hospitable, but fiercely competitive regatta. The cancellation of the last day of racing left plenty of time for competing yachts to enjoy some of the best of the Bay of Islands. The local dolphin pod has become a much-loved feature of the regatta and crew were thrilled to be joined by them as they cooled off in the turquoise Bay of Islands waters.

The regatta was first held alongside the 2000 America’s Cup and is now in its 15th year. It’s the longest running superyacht regatta in the South Pacific and has built a reputation for its camaraderie and fierce competition. 

Prizegiving was held at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel where Miss Silver was crowned the 2021 winner. The 36.2 metre Alloy Yacht won three of three races which were handicapped by the ORCsy using the PCS system; a first in superyacht regattas. “The spirit of this regatta is like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said Sean Whitney, captain of Catalina as the formalities came to an end and celebrations got underway.  


Planning is already underway for next year’s regatta, returning to Russell and the Bay of Islands from 14-17 February, 2022

Gold sponsor Benetti has a strong focus on the environment.

Benetti is deservedly proud of its heritage of delivering beautiful, reliable, technologically advanced and innovative yachts, ideal for partaking in adventures to the most exciting corners of the world and now with a growing intelligent approach to sustainability,” says Peter Mahony, APAC general manager at Benetti Yachts.

"Our commitment for a cleaner ocean is our legacy for future generations. There has to be a pact of mutual respect between cruise lovers and the ocean. For this reason, a reduced environmental impact during navigation has become a crucial principle to keep in mind. Embracing green awareness means employing technology that strives for eco-friendliness without affecting the comfort and the quality of the cruising experience. Benetti not only celebrates consciousness but also promotes hope for a greener future, for example by supporting organisations that promulgate the realisation of marine reserves and provide innovative solutions to the problem of overfishing. We are tied to the ocean. Let’s seal the pact."

Photo credit, Jeff Brown, Breed Media.