An impressive fleet of superyachts ghosted, drifted and motored gently on Waitemata Harbour on the fringes of the downtown waterfront, teased by a whisper-soft northeaster that failed to develop into decent sailing conditions.

The competitors, including some of the biggest and fastest sailing vessels in the world, will try again tomorrow when they start a 30-mile race from the Devonport Wharf on Auckland's North Shore for Kawau Island. They will anchor and rendezvous overnight before returning to Auckland on Thursday to wrap up the four-day event.

The biggest action of the day came from spirited water balloon volleys exchanged between the two largest superyachts in the fleet - the 50-meter Perini Navi sister ships Perseus, from Austria, and Phryne, from Switzerland. Crew aboard a media boat trapped in the crossfire declared the good-natured contest a draw.

Full details about the New Zealand Millennium Cup Superyacht Regatta 2003, can be found on the event web site at http://www.millenniumcup.com

The Millennium Cup 2003 is proudly supported by Cartier, Jaguar New Zealand and United Airlines, platinum partners for this year's prestigious event. Investment New Zealand is the Strategic Partner and Tourism New Zealand is the Media Partner.

Source: Keith Taylor