NZ Marine Export Group Inc.
Media statement
8 February 2010
SY Drumbeat first entry for NZ Marine Cup
The organisers of the New Zealand Marine Cup: Kiwi Kawau Challenge have secured the first entry from SY Drumbeat.
The 174 ft (53 m) Dubois-designed, Alloy Yachts-built ketch is back in New Zealand having scheduled maintenance work
done according to Captain Michel Personnic, and will take the time to compete in the NZ Marine Cup one-day race to Kawau
Island.
“This is the first time that Drumbeat has raced with its current owner, but she has previously raced quite considerably. The yacht is currently on a world
cruise with Auckland as one of the ports of call. After completing the maintenance work at Orams Marine and the NZ
Marine Cup, she will cruise around New Zealand before continuing on a world tour,” says Personnic.
NZ Marine chairman Mark Wightman is delighted to welcome Drumbeat as the first entrant in the new format NZ Marine Cup
event.
“At the time she was launched in 2002, Drumbeat, formerly Salperton, was one of the largest pleasure craft ever built in New Zealand by Alloy Yachts and she’s a fine example of Kiwi
craftsmanship. It’s exciting to have Drumbeat confirmed as the first entry in our Kiwi Kawau Challenge and we feel sure
we’ll see several more entries in the coming days,” says Wightman.
The NZ Marine Cup: Kiwi Kawau Challenge is a one-day race for both sailing and motor superyacht participants on Thursday
4 March. The race starts in Auckland Harbour and takes the yachts to the finish line off Bon Accord Harbour on Kawau
Island. After the racing, a prize-giving, BBQ and entertainment will complete the day.
Full details on the event can be found on www.nzmarineevents.com.
ENDS