The Millennium Cup is often referred to as the southernmost superyacht regatta in the world. Established in 2000 as a complement to the 30th America’s Cup, it not only celebrates the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand’s waters but also showcases the country’s innovative yacht-building prowess.

The regatta traditionally attracts an impressive lineup of participants. The races take place in the Hauraki Gulf, a stretch of water where the world’s best teams have competed in the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race. These waters hold a special place in New Zealand’s sailing heritage, having introduced the nation to the sport.

The Millennium Cup spans four days of racing, accompanied by a vibrant shoreside programme. The fleet are divided into two classes, with races scored under the ORC Superyacht handicap system. Victory here isn’t just about crossing the finish line first. The Performance Curve Scoring (PCS) system levels the playing field by accounting for each yacht’s design and rigging.

This season’s races were nothing short of thrilling. Veteran yachts like the 2020 runner-up Kawil and crowd favourites Sassafras, Janice of Wyoming, Steinlager 2, and Lion New Zealand performed admirably. Meanwhile, ambitious newcomers Innismara, Sharlou, Hikurere, Kinetic, and Sea Eagle brought fresh energy to the competition.

The event was particularly meaningful for New Zealand, as many of the participating yachts—Janice of Wyoming, Hikurere, Innismara, Steinlager 2, and Lion New Zealand—have strong ties to the country. For most of the regatta, the weather was idyllic: azure skies, gentle sunshine, and steady, predictable breezes. However, on the second day, the wind seemed to disappear, forcing an unexpected pause in the heated competition. To pass the time, some crews took a refreshing dip in the still-chilly sea.

Against all odds, the victory in the Millennium Cup class went to one of the smallest yachts in the regatta—Kawil, measuring just 34.14 metres. Built by Derecktor Shipyards in 2000 and designed by Sparkman & Stephens, this yacht was created for long-distance cruising rather than speed. Despite finishing last in two races, Kawil topped the leaderboard with 7 points, edging out the favourites.

In second place was the 81-metre, three-masted schooner Sea Eagle. Though it claimed a commanding victory on the first day, it ultimately fell two points short of the diminutive Kawil.

Third place went to the 34-metre Sassafras, built by Royal Huisman. A consistent presence at the Millennium Cup for the past five years, Sassafras finished second last year.

The sleek 42-metre carbon sloop Sharlou, a creation of Bill Tripp, was the fastest yacht on the water in all four races based on elapsed time. However, after the corrected time was factored in, it finished fourth overall.

The sloop Janice of Wyoming, designed by Ed Dubois and built by Alloy Yachts International in Auckland between 2003 and 2005, displayed a performance as unpredictable as the sea breeze, ultimately securing a modest fifth place.

In the smaller Pacific Cup class, the 23-metre sloop Hikurere (built by TCCY in Taiwan) dominated the competition, winning every race and topping the leaderboard in both elapsed and corrected time. Second place went to the legendary Lion New Zealand, designed by Ron Holland and the winner of the 1986 Whitbread Round the World Race under the command of Sir Peter Blake. Both crews, composed of young New Zealand sailors, demonstrated that the future of the nation’s sailing is in capable hands. Rounding out the top three was the classic 22-metre Innismara, built in 1969 to a design by Bernie Schmidt. Not only did its team compete, but they also undertook the yacht’s restoration.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the winner, Kawil, and two standout debutants from this season. All three are available for charter, offering the chance to experience them firsthand.

Kawil, Derecktor (34.11 m)

Built by the American shipyard Derecktor and designed by the legendary firm Sparkman & Stephens, Kawil was launched in 2000 under the name Gitana.

This yacht was born to roam, designed primarily for long-distance cruising and even circumnavigation. It combines exceptional rigging with rare simplicity in sail handling. After undergoing a series of upgrades, including a cockpit redesign, it now gleams like new.

The revamped cockpit is perfect for leisurely lunches and lively parties, while the spacious aft deck invites guests to bask in the sun and enjoy easy access to turquoise waters via the opening transom.

The helm station offers an unobstructed view of the horizon, while the cosy dining nook, seating eight, encourages intimate conversations. Below deck, Kawil features a luxurious master suite located aft of the wheelhouse, along with two identical twin cabins to port and starboard. Each cabin is equipped with flat-screen TVs and impeccably appointed en-suite bathrooms.

Having previously won the New Zealand Millennium Cup in 2020, Kawil proved once again that its small size is no disadvantage.

Sea Eagle, Royal Huisman (83 m)

As one of the six largest sailing yachts in the world, Sea Eagle has circumnavigated the globe since its launch in 2020, covering 45,000 nautical miles, mostly under sail. Having proven its ability to conquer the elements, this modern schooner made its racing debut at the 2025 Millennium Cup.

To enable the owner to explore as many countries as possible under sail, the yacht needed exceptional seafaring capabilities,” explains Bas Isselmann of Royal Huisman. “It had to be practical, powerful, safe, and easy to handle. And finally, it had to prioritise functionality and reliability over excessive luxury. That’s exactly what we built, and it’s a source of great pride for our team.”

The design was brought to life by a collaboration between Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley Design.

The schooner’s sail area is staggering: 2,580 square meters on upwind courses and 3,552 square meters on downwind runs. The spinnaker alone spans 1,600 square meters. Its carbon Panamax masts rise progressively from bow to stern, with the tallest reaching 61 metres. The ability to hoist all three mainsails simultaneously proved the efficiency of the sail-handling system, even in the most scenic corners of the globe.

The vertical bow and wide transom give the yacht its modern proportions, signalling its speed and seaworthiness for long passages. Continuous glass lines and a low-profile superstructure enhance its aesthetic appeal.

The main deck houses a formal living and dining area for 16 guests, situated between the main and mizzen masts. The lower deck features six cabins, including a sprawling master suite, offering luxurious accommodations for 12 guests. Crew quarters for 14 are located forward.

Sharlou, Vitters (42.6 m)

We first wrote about this remarkable yacht in 2012, when it was launched under the name Sarissa. At the time, it was the largest Bermuda-rigged sloop ever built in the Netherlands and one of the largest yachts in the world with such rigging. The project brought together industry heavyweights, including Dutch shipyard Vitters and naval architect Bill Tripp, with the carbon composite hull moulded by Green Marine. The yacht underwent a refit in 2021.

The hull, superstructure, and rigging are made of carbon composite, while the lightweight interior constructions are finished with luxurious materials. The relatively low freeboard adds elegance to its silhouette.

Sharlou can be configured for both cruising and racing. In cruising mode, it carries a standard triangular mainsail. For racing, it can be equipped with a square-topped mainsail, increasing the sail area by 20% and enhancing its speed. To ensure optimal performance in both setups, Sarissa is equipped with a dual control system for the backstays and running backstays.

Despite its size, the yacht doesn’t require a large crew. Modern sail-handling systems, an in-boom furling mainsail, bow and stern thrusters, and a lifting keel (reducing draught from 6.2 to 4 metres) make it easy to manage both at sea and in marinas.

The interiors feature lightweight materials with a luxurious finish, including oak, cherry, rosewood, leather, steel, and carbon fibre.