Showtime for billion-dollar fleet

By ALAN PERROTT

About $1 billion worth of superyacht luxury was let loose in the second Millennium Cup yesterday.

More than 50 sailing and motorised vessels, carrying some well-heeled crew, assembled for the unique four-day event combining aggressive racing and onshore glamour.

Each crew's enthusiasm for some real sailing after weeks in dock shone out as the monster yachts burst out of the blocks.

The mass start drew cheers and hornblasts as the leaders jostled for position.

Helmsmen included America's Cup skippers Dennis Conner, Paul Cayard, Francesco de Angelis and Ian Walker.

In the first day's racing, the yachts tore around a triangular course, while the powerboat crews shot off to Gulf Harbour for a rapid-fire golf tournament.

The top five boats at the end of the day were de Angelis' Ulisse, Unfurled, Canon Leopard, Ipanema and Alithia. Alfa Romeo took line honours, but dropped to seventh after handicapping.

Today is sail-only, with a 15-nautical-mile round-the-buoys race in the America's Cup racing area.

Tomorrow the fleet races to Kawau Island and the prizegiving will be held in Auckland on Thursday.