Massive superyacht and J Class events around 36th America's Cup

by Isla McKechnie 20 Jun 2019 16:19 BST 21 June 2019

Auckland City will be host to the 36th America's Cup, however events for superyachts and J class will be held in Auckland and the Bay of Islands © Chris McLennan

On the eve of the Superyacht Cup Palma, New Zealand officials have announced a spread of superyacht and J Class events which will wrap around the 36th America’s Cup in 2020/2021.

A total of 11 events including superyacht regattas, J Class regattas, superyacht fishing competitions and island cruises will entertain superyacht visitors to New Zealand during America’s Cup racing over 2020 and 2021, it was announced today.

The events have been designed to help visitors discover some of New Zealand’s most beautiful cruising grounds with the activities run by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and NZMarine between January 2020 and March 2021. Events are designed for both visiting S/Y and M/Y vessels and timed to fit around America’s Cup World Series, Prada Cup challenger and America’s Cup Match events.

“New Zealand is very much looking forward to 2021; not only will the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron host the 36th America’s Cup but we’ll also hold our very own sesquicentennial (150th) celebrations,” says Aaron Young, vice commodore and chair, America’s Cup 36 and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. “We have a huge range of events and regattas for all types of boat; from superyachts, J Class to foiling dinghy events planned in what will be a memorable couple of years. Visiting vessels can expect friendly, down-to-earth Kiwi hospitality, great sailing conditions and some of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds.”

Dates were released today in Palma on the eve of the Superyacht Cup Palma by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and NZ Marine, accompanied by New Zealand Government officials led by New Zealand Ambassador to Spain, HE Nigel Fyfe.

Those dates include the NZ Millennium Cup Superyacht Regatta in the Bay of Islands in January/February 2020 as well as the following year’s regatta in 2021, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron New Year’s Eve Race to Kawau Island 25NM north of Auckland, a superyacht fishing competition in Russell, Bay of Islands, two J Class regattas, a Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron superyacht regatta, a J Class exhibition race, and further events designed to entertain the many superyachts destined for New Zealand when the 36th America’s Cup kicks off.

Silvertip Racing in the NZ Millennium Cup, Bay of Islands - photo © Jeff Brown

“New Zealand has some of the most beautiful harbours and islands in the world and with great sailing conditions and plenty of fish to catch, we want to make sure that our superyacht visitors can experience it all,” says Peter Busfield, executive director, NZMarine.

“The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and NZMarine have been pleased to be able to make this announcement on the eve of the Superyacht Cup Palma. The New Zealand’s Millennium Cup is a long term supporter of the Superyacht Cup Palma; an event which we consider to be a sister regatta to our own and as such are pleased to make this announcement of major superyacht events around the 36th America's Cup in New Zealand at this European centre of superyachts,” says Busfield.

Additional superyacht facilities are currently being built increasing superyacht marina berths to over 100 spaces in the America’s Cup and adjacent marina areas and only this month it was announced that Orams Marine has been given the go-ahead to build a new superyacht refit and haulout yard complete with 820 tonne travel lift, adjacent to its existing facilities in downtown Auckland. Representatives from Orams Marine will be in Palma to discuss refit needs with yachts coming to New Zealand

“While it might seem like a long way to come, our team at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are doing all we can to make it easy to get to Auckland, and can assist with anything from berthage to organising parties. I very much welcome you to enjoy and celebrate not only AC36 in Auckland, but also what will be a festival and celebration of sailing in 2021,” says Young.

Enquiries are now being accepted for entries, and opportunities are open for sponsorship.

Contact stacey@nzmarine.com, jclassregattas@rnzys.org.nz,

The full line up of events is below.

January/February 2020

Wednesday 29th January to Saturday 1st February - NZ Millennium Cup Superyacht Regatta Bay of Islands in Association with Russell Boating Club

October 2020 - Auckland On Water Boat Show, America’s Cup Village

End of Year 2020 - America’s Cup World Series for America’s Cup Defender and all Challengers, Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf

31 December 2020 - Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron New Year’s Eve Race to Kawau Island 25NM north of Auckland

January 2021

The Prada Cup America’s Cup Challenger Series starts, Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf

Friday 1st - Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron 150th anniversary and New Year’s Day around Kawau Island race

Sunday 3rd - Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron cruise to Great Barrier Island