| AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALND-(13-2-2003) High performance cruisers took
the top prizes in both divisions of the New Zealand Millennium Cup
Superyacht Regatta 2003 which wrapped up four days of racing today with
a 30-mile race from Kawau Island to Auckland.
Reflecting the interest of America's Cup crews in the international
rendezvous, afterguard members from Italy's Prada Syndicate, were at the
helms of both winners. Prada Tactician Torben Grael steered the 112-foot
Brazilian sloop Ipanema to victory in Division I. Prada alternate
helmsman Gavin Brady had the wheel on the Dutch 80-foot sloop Innovision
which topped Division II.
The fleet had anchored overnight at Kawau Island for two major social
events, an owners and sponsors banquet under marquees at Mansion House
and a crew party under a gigantic big top at nearby Pah Farm. The long
narrow confines of Bon Accord Harbor was jammed with anchored boats.
After dusk the deck lights, spreader lights and other lighting features
on the superyachts gave the appearance of a small city. The normally
quiet anchorage emptied quickly this morning as the fleet prepared to
race again.
It's said that gentlemen never sail to windward, and the men and women
of the Millennium Cup regatta proved it today with a fast spinnaker
reach and run, sailed under grey, threatening skies. Yesterday, they had
raced to Kawau under spinnakers before a brisk southerly breeze.
Launched only three weeks ago from Auckland's McMullen and Wing
shipyard, the sophisticated cruiser Ipanema, built in high strength
Alustar aluminium and designed by German Frers Sr, featured a veritable
who's who of Brazilian yachting. Brazilian owner Antonio Dias Leite was
joined by Frers, Lars Grael and Rodney Keenan Minister of Sport for
Brazil.
Innovision, also designed by Frers is a two-year-old 80-foot Nautor
Swan, with a carbonfibre rig, owned and sailed by Dutchman Hans Eekhol.
Sailing with the smaller and lower rating boats in handicap Division II,
she scored triple bullets, winning starts and winning on elapsed and
corrected time as she finished each day with the leading boats in
Division I.
The fastest boat in Division I was Kiwi Neville Crichton's
water-ballasted maxi-racer Alfa Romeo which each day quickly left her
bigger and more fully-appointed cruiser sisters in her wake. Although
she was the corrected time winner yesterday, a blown spinnaker cost her
precious minutes today and with it any chance of first place today or
overall. She placed second overall in the division.
Unofficial results (subject to protest):
Racing Day 4 - Division 1
Place, Boat, Skipper/Owner, Country, Elapsed Time, Corrected Time 1.
Ipanema, Antonio Dias Leite, Brazil, 02:27:07, 03:34:03 2. Alfa Romeo,
Neville Crichton, New Zealand, 02:07:49, 03:38:18 3. Ulisse, Charter to
Mr Bertelli, Italy, 02:24:29, 03:38:45 4. Alithia, Adam Painter,
Germany, 02:23:19, 03:40:34 5. Mari Cha III, Robert Miller, England,
02:12:03, 03:42:54
Overall Results - Division 1
Place, Boat Name, Skipper/Owner, Country, Points
1. Ipanema, Antonio Dias Leite, Brazil, (4-0-3-1), 8;
2. Alfa Romeo, Neville Crichton, New Zealand (8-0-1-2), 11;
3. Ulisse, Patrizio Bertelli (charter), Italy (1-0-8-3), 12;
4. Unfurled, Harry Macklowe, USA (2-0-6-6), 14;
5. Canon Leopard, Mike Slade, England (3-0-4-7), 14.
Racing Day 4 - Division 2
1. Innovision, Hans Eekhol, Holland, 02:40:30, 03:41:58
2. Sariyah, Isam Kabbani, New Zealand, 02:45:56, 03:45:30
3. Antaeus, Charles St Clair Brown, New Zealand, 02:52:30, 03:47:52
4.Imagine, Richard Lowe, Monaco, 02:45:05, 03:50:57
5. Moonblue 2, Peter
Churchouse, Hong Kong, 03:02:51, 03:50:56
Overall Results - Division 2
1. Innovision, Hans Eekhol, Holland, (1-0-1-1), 3;
2. Antaeus, Charles St Clair Brown, New Zealand, (2-0-2-3), 7; 3.
Sariyah, Isam Kabbani, New Zealand, (4-0-3-2), 9, *P; 4. Maya Ray, Dave
Wagner, Grand Cayman, (3-0-6-6), 15; 5. Moonblue 2, Peter Churchouse,
Hong Kong, (7-0-4-5), 16.
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.
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