NZ Marine Cup secures more support
Thursday 4 February 2010, 7:55AM
By NZ Marine
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Momentum is building with one month until the New Zealand Marine Cup: Kiwi Kawau Challenge with three more companies extending their support to the special one-off superyacht race to Kawau Island.
Integrated Marine Group (IMG), Yachting Developments and Villa Maria Wines have confirmed their sponsorship of the event which involves a day race to Kawau Island from Auckland Harbour and an evening function on the island for the superyacht owners and their guests on Thursday 4 March.
IMG managing director Mark Wightman, who also chairs the NZ Marine board, says he and his capable team are proud to support this event which helps profile New Zealand and Auckland as fantastic places for superyachts and their passengers to visit.
“We look forward sharing in an event that promises to highlight to our guests why New Zealand is such an exceptional destination for yachts,” says Wightman.
Integrated Marine Group specialises in the provision of yacht support and refit services, providing a one-stop solution for yachts throughout their operational lifecycle.
“IMG’s team is deserving of the excellent reputation they continue to build around their unique approach, with the recently-completed SY Zenji project adding to their growing list of satisfied clients and projects of which they are justifiably proud,” adds Wightman.
Murray Greenhalgh, CEO of Yachting Developments, says he is equally delighted to announce the company’s sponsorship of the 2010 NZ Marine Cup.
“We are hoping our latest composite creation the 121-foot (37-metre) SY Bliss will feature in the racing. The Kiwi Kawau Challenge promises to be an exciting event. If it was anything like last year’s Millennium Cup held in Auckland, it will be one to remember.”
Yachting Developments is New Zealand’s largest composite boat-builder, says Greenhalgh. “Over the past 19 years the company has established a reputation for producing international award-winning superyachts, such as SY Bristolian, which won the best sail 24 to 40-metre category of the International Superyacht Society Design Awards in 2009.”
New Zealand’s most award winery, the proudly family-owned Villa Maria Estate also joins the NZ Marine Cup sponsor line-up having also supported the NZ Marine Millennium Cup in 2009.
“Villa Maria is delighted to be a part of the NZ Marine Cup: Kiwi Kawau Challenge and to showcase our award winning wines to all participants, their guests and other premium sponsors,” says Sir George Fistonich, managing director of Villa Maria Estate.
“We are passionate about New Zealand wine and proud to be able to offer a truly memorable and unique wine experience to superyacht lovers from all around the world, in the setting of Auckland's spectacular Hauraki Gulf.”
The NZ Marine Cup: Kiwi Kawau Challenge also supported by Alloy Yachts and Fitzroy Yachts. Entries are now open and more details can be found on www.nzmarineevents.com.
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