An adrenaline-fuelled second day of racing at the NZ Millennium Cup
First time regatta competitor Tawera takes convincing victory on day two of the NZ Millennium Cup…
The clouds were gone and the sun was out today in the Bay of Islands, as the second day of racing kicked off. With 19 nautical miles ticked off on day one, spirits were high as yachts set out for a longer day on the water, with a 26 nautical mile course.
As the armada came upon the Nine Pin many yachts battled with dropping winds. Allegro were the first whose sails were to be emptied, then Steinlager II with Antaeus eyeing them up from behind before falling afoul to the same conditions. Silvertip gave the Nine Pin a wide berth, while Janice of Wyoming hair-pinned around with a resounding gasp.
The yachts finally built up speed to move around the course once again but then the wind shifted 180 degrees as the fleet traversed from the Orams Marine Buoy to the Motuterakihi Island Buoy.
Although last off the start line, Silvertip made good on their reputation as fierce racers, quickly finding their legs and gaining on the fleet, overtaking boat after boat to claim a well-deserved second place overall. But this was Tawera’s day and she could not be caught, harnessing the wind to carry her round the course and take the victory.
Kealoha kept their focus throughout to claim third place. Meanwhile, a close battle was underway at the finish line. Janice of Wyoming proved their mastery of the last minute overtake, demonstrated with their win on day one, gaining on Shamoun as they approached the finish line and stealing fourth place at the last minute.
In the Pacific Class Steinlager enjoyed the stronger winds and were uncatchable, crossing the line first overall and taking line honours. Allegro comfortably held her place in towards the front of the fleet throughout the day, crossing the line third overall to take second place in the Pacific Class. Antaeus sailed consistently but were unable to catch the frontrunners, taking third place.
With day two down, all is to play for in an historically unique day for the NZ Millennium Cup; four of the five boats are tied equal first place on five points each.
All images courtesy of Jeff Brown
Profile links
Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.
