“It’salightair
regatta, which makes
it very difficult for
competitorstofindthe
right places to go and
forced them to search for
wind.Theoneswhodid
that best came out on top”- Jim Teeters, regatta
handicapper
Q&A with Marcus
Blackmore, owner
ofAmmoniteHOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN YOUR
FIRST MILLENNIUM CUP?
Immensely satisfying. It was our first
winfortheyachtafterthreeprevious
regattas in Europe and the Caribbean.
Weknowthattheyachtisfasternow
than when first launched as we get to
better understand rig and sail set-
ups. The yacht absolutely fulfils our
expectationofafastcruiser-racer.WHAT MAKES THIS REGATTA
SO SPECIAL?
TheBayofIslandsisawonderful
venue. The scenery is spectacular, and
theorganisersdoasterlingjob.When
Iturnedupfortheinitialowners’
briefingtherewasalreadyacupof
cofeesittinginfrontofme.Myinitial
thoughts were that these guys have got it
right – they didn’t let me down.WILL YOU BE BACK?
IdohopeAmmonitewill get to contest
thiseventinthefuture.NewZealand
hasanamazingyachtinghistory–just
look at its America’s Cup successes –
andasaresultNZisanexcellentplace
to get maintenance work done. They
haveaverygoodresourceofskilled
tradespeople. The Millennium Cup that
will coincide with the next America’s
Cupwillbesensational.HOW WAS YOUR CRUISE
ACROSS THE PACIFIC?
Oneoflife’sgreatestexperiencesfor
my wife and I was swimming with
whales in Tonga thanks to round-
the-world sailor and adventurer Don
McIntyre who is building the Royal
Namuka Yacht Club there. Here’s some
hints for cruising the South Pacific:
load your boat up with books, writing
pads, pencils, balloons, etc for the
localschools.Youmightalsoconsider
makingadonation.Alwaysaskthelocal
chief’spermissiontoanchorintheirbay.
Take lots of pairs of reading glasses.
InTongaonelovelyoldladysaidto
mywifeshehadn’tbeenabletoread
theBibleforfiveyearsbeforewegave
herapair.Howrewardingasmall
gesture is that?