Sailing yacht SEA EAGLE set to soar at her regatta debut in the NZ Millennium Cup

The NZ Millennium Cup kicks off next week, marking the highly anticipated regatta debut of the 81-meter sailing yacht SEA EAGLE. Built by Royal Huisman and launched in 2020, this contemporary schooner is one of the world’s largest sailing yachts, and her maiden race appearance promises to be a spectacle.

Sailing yacht SEA EAGLE

Having completed a remarkable 45,000-nautical-mile global voyage, SEA EAGLE has proven her mettle as an explorer. However, navigating the high-stakes racecourse of the NZ Millennium Cup will test her prowess in a whole new way. “This is a very large yacht to be throwing around on a racecourse with several other superyachts,” notes Captain Henry Say. “We are all excited to try something new and see what the boat can do; though I guess you could say we are a little nervous.”

Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, SEA EAGLE boasts an impressive sail area—2,580sqm upwind and 3,552sqm downwind—and an innovative sail management system capable of hoisting all three mainsails simultaneously. These features were designed with comfort, reliability, and performance in mind, according to Royal Huisman’s Bas Isselmann.

“The brief for Sea Eagle was to create an extremely comfortable and spacious superyacht with good sea keeping and exceptional amenities for all onboard,” Isselmann explains. “She had to be a true sailor’s yacht … and that is the yacht that we delivered – with a good deal of team pride.”

Racing in the NZ Millennium Cup @ Jeff Brown Breed Media

Captain Say is optimistic about the regatta. “We are looking forward to getting a strong team together and taking part in a well organised, social event. It is something the owners of the yacht have never done, so showing them the racing side of the sport will be exciting. Obviously, we love sailing SEA EAGLE and are looking forward to showcasing her performance.”

The regatta, held in Auckland from February 1–4, promises stunning harbour views and challenging conditions. “These waters have honed generations of New Zealand sailors, so we know they’re a challenging, and very picturesque, place to race,” says event organizer Stacey Cook.

The world will be watching as SEA EAGLE spreads her wings. If you are interested in chartering sailing yacht SEA EAGLE for a regatta or vacation, contact us now.