Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

New Zealand Millennium Cup: Kawil makes it a double - Day 3

by Isla McKechnie 5 Feb 11:23 UTC
Winning crew - Kawil - NZ Millennium Cup - Day 3 - Auckland - February 4, 2025 © Jeff Brown, Breed Media

The final race of the 2025 NZ Millennium Cup has come to a close and Kawil has been named overall series winner.

The 2020 champion put in a strong performance throughout the regatta, securing two first placings over four races. However coming into the final race it was Sea Eagle, Sassafras, and Sharlou all within striking distance of a win, as the third and final day of racing got under way.

But the two Royal Huisman yachts couldn't hold off Kawil's charge to be champion. The 34 metre nailed the final race off Rakino island on a perfect Auckland day, and cemented her place as a two time NZ Millennium Cup winner.

"It was a great race, we had a lot of fun, and are simply proud to be part of the group that's here," said Kawil's owner as he accepted the 2025 NZ Millennium Cup.

"Everybody loved it here, and at the risk of sounding like the Oscars, thanks to all the crew who made it possible, and thank you to the sponsors down here in New Zealand who make it possible for all of us to come down here and enjoy ourselves."

In the Pacific Cup Class, Hikurere won decisively after tight racing with Lion New Zealand over the three day series. The two yachts in the Pacific Class Cup manned by young, keen crew showed the bright future of New Zealand sailing, with Lion New Zealand and third place Innismara finishing within a minute of each other.

"Innismara has had a fantastic regatta and we're very grateful for the Pacific Cup and competition," says Innismara's Olivia Wimsett, though she warns the Innismara crew's mentors on bigger yachts should be on watch for next year's regatta.

"The afterguard on the superyachts better watch out, we're coming for them."

On the Hauraki Gulf waters that have produced a nation of sailors, this year's NZ Millennium Cup fleet saw intense racing across the generations with venerated sailing names like Tom Schnackenberg, Mike Toppa and Tom Dodson, competing with young guns from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

With the changeable Auckland weather in full swing, the ORC's Zoran Grubisa was onsite to ensure a high standard of handicapping.

"This certainly puts Auckland and New Zealand on my list of favourite places to be and I'm looking forward for future cooperation," said Grubisa, giving his thanks to the management team.

The NZ Millennium Cup will return in 2026, but whether Kawil returns to defend her title remains to be seen.

Final results at www.millenniumcup.com

Related Articles

Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Five
Episode Five - Shane Subichin, The Boat Works - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Shane Subichin, GM at The Boat Works about his life from tinnies on Sydney Harbour to leading the team at the premier refit and maintenance yard on the Gold Coast. Posted on 6 Jun
New Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider
An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived with the upcoming debut of the all-new Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider. Posted on 5 Jun
Michael Rybovich & Sons construction updates
Progress on hulls from 84', 62' down to 42' New construction updates of 70' S/F Hull # 9, 42' S/F hull #10, 75' S/F hull #11, 84' S/F - Hull # 12. Posted on 5 Jun
A very clear video for overhead casting
Stop fly casting 10-2 and start using this method for longer casts Lyall and Nathan have spoken to me often of how to advance beyond the clock face 10-2 using the terms translation before rotation. Posted on 4 Jun
Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht - Ready to ride
Making her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht makes her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City, New Jersey – and it's more than a new model. Posted on 4 Jun
NOAA reduces Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit
The adjusted limits will take effect June 3, 2025 and extend through December 31, 2025 On May 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced adjustments to the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational anglers. Posted on 3 Jun
Delegation urges state control of red snapper
Expressing "strong support for a state-led framework to ensure science-based stewardship" South Carolina's congressional delegation, led by Congressman Russell Fry and joined by U.S. Senators, formally urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to transfer management of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery to the states. Posted on 2 Jun
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully Gearing up for her christening later this month, Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully. Posted on 2 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May
All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts