130 superyachts and counting, advised attendance at America's Cup Auckland 2020/21
by Isla McKechnie 27 Sep 2019 15:04 BST
28 September 2019
NZ built superyacht Silvertip racing in the NZ Millennium Cup © Jeff Brown
The combined popularity of the Prada Cup America's Cup Challenger Series and the America's Cup, plus the additional drawcard of related superyacht regattas is now expected to see over 130 superyachts visiting New Zealand next year and in 2021.
The Prada Challenger Series and America's Cup will be held in Auckland over December 2020 to March 2021, while superyacht regattas, the NZ Millennium Cup in the Bay of Islands and the multiple Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron regattas in Auckland combine for further appeal. The events add to the desirability of the destination which already attracts yachts for cruising, maintenance and refit of all sizes of yachts.
The fleet coming to watch the America's Cup will be able to take advantage of the spectacular scenery in the Far North, in and around Auckland and further south to the picturesque South Island.
In addition to the new superyacht marina berths being built in the America's Cup Race Village to cater for the flotilla of yachts soon heading to New Zealand, a planned superyacht anchoring plan was announced today at the Southern Spars VIP breakfast at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Holder of the America's Cup, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's General Manager, Hayden Porter today advised an audience of superyacht industry, captains and owners at the Monaco Yacht Show breakfast of an exciting plan to accommodate visiting yachts. It will provide for superyachts anchored in Auckland's waters to have access to on-land services through tender loading zones and facilities to embark and disembark guests in the heart of downtown Auckland.
"We consider this an extension of our New Zealand hospitality," says NZ Marine Executive Director Peter Busfield today.
"We're thrilled to be welcoming our superyacht guests to our part of the world and will be encouraging them to explore the many beautiful islands and bays, vineyards, restaurants and beaches of Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and outer Hauraki Gulf in our peak summer season."
Under the Harbour Master's direction, yachts will be able to anchor in areas from west of the Harbour Bridge to Islington Bay on Rangitoto Island, to peaceful anchorages around Motutapu Island, Rakino Island and Kawau Island, and Waiheke Island - world-famous for its vineyards.
"By tender from Waiheke, it's a 12 nautical mile cruise to downtown Auckland, and we're looking forward to sharing that aspect of New Zealand with our guests; you can be sitting in a vineyard overlooking a white sandy beach, and then in the heart of the America's Cup race village within an hour."