2018 Superyacht Regatta series to kick off in Bay of Islands

Defending champion Tawera is back for the 2018 installment of the NZ Millennium Cup. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

With just 15 days to go until the 2018 superyacht regatta season begins, organisers of the first regatta of the year, the NZ Millennium Cup, are reporting strong interest.

2018's edition will be raced in New Zealand's subtropical playground of the Bay of Islands from January 23-26.

With the next America's Cup series likely to be raced in Auckland, NZ Millennium Cup organisers are expecting to see a quick uptick in entries over the next four years as increasing numbers of yachts discover the delights of Pacific cruising.

The entry of Oyster 825, Enso coincided with news Bucket Rating/International Superyacht Rule creator Jim Teeters will travel to New Zealand to handicap the race on site.

"We're seeing an increase in superyachts and industry figures wanting to travel to this part of the world," said organiser Stacey Cook.

"New Zealand's America's Cup win has seen a resurgence of interest in cruising New Zealand while the wider South Pacific is expected to experience a bumper 2018 season."

The regatta is raced in the Bay of Islands, one of the world's great natural playgrounds, and its reputation amongst owners has spread via word of mouth.

Last year's champion Tawera makes its return to Northland waters in an attempt to match the three wins from three races record from 2017.

Meanwhile Silvertip and Janice of Wyoming also come back to the Bay of Islands, competing in their fifth events.

Three new superyachts are confirmed as entrants: Sassafras, Ammonite and Enso.

Ammonite will make her way to the regatta from Tonga. The Southern Wind-built yacht is a member of the Royal Namuka Yacht Club in Tonga and will be carrying the club's founder - renowned adventurer Don McIntyre, when she races in the Cup.

"We will have a crack crew assembled for the Cup including Olympians Matt Belcher and Will Ryan; who are current 470 World champions," said owner Marcus Blackmore.

"We are still learning about the yacht after only three regattas, and we are keen to do well and really looking forward to being in the Bay of Islands."

With the release of the Notice of Race, it has been announced that former America's Cup principal race officer, Harold Bennett will act as the Cup's officer of the day, bringing his extensive experience to bear to ensure competitive, exciting racing.

Fellow New Zealand sailing legend Peter Montgomery will be on site, while Tom Schnackenberg and Olympians Matt Belcher and Will Ryan will make up some of the crew onboard the six entrants who have registered to date.

"Sailing is in New Zealanders' DNA," said Cook.

"The NZ Millennium Cup regatta is unique in that race crew are often comprised of a mix of America's Cup and round-the-world sailors which makes for skilled racing - while they also enjoy showing off their home waters to superyacht owners.

"For the owners who come to this adventurous pocket of the world, the result is an incredible regatta that couldn't be recreated anywhere else."