Ammonite has shown her stripes on the first day of the NZ Millennium Cup, when in two close races the first time entry made it clear she's here to win, with crew pulling off slick manouvres to see her hold onto her lead over Silvertip.
Competitors were finishing within minutes of each other and, while crew pulled off slick manouvres to push their yachts to their best performances, it was Ammonite which held out in front to take both of the day’s races.
With bright conditions and a sea breeze expected to make its presence felt come afternoon, the day began with a skipper’s briefing at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell. Race officer Harold Bennett instructed the fleet before ISYR handicapper Jim Teeters took the floor.
A gathering of owners, captains and tacticians were introduced to a new concept in superyacht handicap, which gained universal approval from competitors; especially once they saw the close racing which resulted from the system today.
A given handicap for each boat is split; 50 per cent applied to create a staggered start, and the balance added to the finish time. On that basis, the fleet should be grouped together at the halfway stage of the race, and that was proven today.
The first start was postponed due to a delay in the NE sea breeze coming in, though that left time for special guests to join the fleet. When first Tawera headed over the line toward the Orams Marine mark, followed by Sassafras, Enso, Janice of Wyoming, Ammonite and Silvertip – they were joined by one of the largest pods of dolphins seen in the regatta’s history.
The quick dash to the Orams Marine mark saw the handicap ratings come into their own with four boats rounding the mark within three minutes of each other. It was on the other side of the mark however where the tone was being set for the day’s racing; Ammonite held off Silvertip as they headed for the finish line off Long Beach in a gybing duel where Silvertip couldn’t find a lane to pass Ammonite.
Race two was the longer course of the day and Sassafras and Tawera were away first in a light but building breeze. However, that breeze abated for 20 minutes or so, disadvantaging the mid-fleet starters. Silvertip searching for a fresher breeze was the only yacht starting on starboard tack heading to the left hand side of the course, the remainder of the fleet betting on a port tack to the right.
Ammonite was introduced to her first taste of the Nine Pin when she rounded it at the head of the fleet, executing a slick gennaker hoist to mark the occasion as she headed for home.
Sassafras followed just a few minutes behind her, with Silvertip sweeping past the mark a couple of seconds after that as the Bay of Islands Sailing Week TP52 fleet filled the waters around them with a multitude of sails.
Then it was a downwind race to the finish line. The Bay of Islands was dotted with the sight of full sails as the fleet entered its second gybing duel for the day.
It was tight right to the end, but at the line it was Ammonite which bested Silvertip; crossing two minutes and 30 seconds in front of the repeat campaigner.
The New Zealand Millennium Cup is organised by the NZ Marine Export Group and a group of dedicated New Zealand superyacht figures. With three days of high quality racing, exceptional hospitality and stunning views in one of the most picturesque cruising destinations in the world, this event is truly unique and a must do for adventurous owners.
As a focal point for both the local industry and for the global brands looking for more exposure in the growing South Pacific market, the NZ Millennium Cup is supported by a number of sponsors, including platinum sponsor Orams Marine, and gold sponsors Smuggler Marine, Bay of Islands Marina, Doyle Sails New Zealand and Servcorp.
Silver sponsors include OnFire Design, Breed Media, COAST New Zealand, Events Clothing, Southern Spars/North Sails, Upholstery Specialists and Martronics EAL.
