lyttelton yacht racing

Sail Grand Prix Season 2024

Ōtautahi, Christchurch was the host city for the inaugural  ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix  on Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour in March 2023.

The spectacular close-to-shore racing was witnessed by 15,000 people at Naval Point and another 4500 at the central city live site.

Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki hold guardianship over the harbour and worked closely with SailGP and ChristchurchNZ to bring the event to life. The event will be held again in March 2024 in Lyttelton Harbour and we look forward to welcoming it back. The event will take place on March 23rd and 24th 2024. Lyttelton will have traffic management in place over this time for the event.

At this point in time, we do not have much information on the event and queries can be directed to [email protected]

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First look at lyttelton harbour sail gp course, race dates revealed.

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• Christchurch

Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour will host the exciting new format of racing, with Christchurch one of at least nine destinations to celebrate the international event in the expanded calendar for Season 3.

The 2023 New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will be the first event in a four-year commitment to Aotearoa with support from the Government through the Major Events Fund, ChristchurchNZ and Auckland Unlimited.

Through the partnership – spanning Season 3 to Season 6 – Christchurch and Auckland will share hosting duties of SailGP, claiming a permanent fixture on the SailGP season calendar and the first home event for Peter Burling and Blair Tuke's New Zealand SailGP Team.

"Entering Season 3 of SailGP and our second year in the league knowing we'll be racing on home waters in March adds an extra element of excitement and determination. New Zealanders have always been keen sailors and supporters, and we can't wait to have that Kiwi energy and hype right there on the water's edge," New Zealand SailGP Team co-CEO Tuke said.

The race course for the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix has also been confirmed, with fans getting closer to the action in New Zealand than they ever have before.

Ten identical hydro-foiling catamarans are expected to reach speeds of almost 100 km/h as they fly within metres of the shoreline by Naval Point - Te Nukutai o Tapoa, coming into the finish in front of thousands of fans.

"Heading into its third season, SailGP is going from strength to strength commercially and is recognised as the fastest growing sports league in the world - it is action-packed, boat-to-boat racing just metres off the shoreline edge. With 10 boats on a very tight course, it really is dramatic, as we have seen with other events this season with capsizes, crashes and daring passing manoeuvres.

"SailGP is expected to generate many positive benefits for the New Zealand economy and environment. The experience will help stimulate and promote regional tourism, showcasing Christchurch in a unique way to a global audience and supporting a number of positive environmental projects."

After the inaugural event scheduled for January 2022 in Christchurch was forced to be cancelled, ChristchurchNZ is excited to host the world-class event in Season 3.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have committed to hosting the first New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch in 2023, along with Season 5. The Season 3 and Season 5 events are forecast to provide significant increased benefits for Ōtautahi Christchurch compared to the cancelled 2022 event, with more teams participating, a greater global broadcast audience as the popularity of SailGP has grown, and more visitors due to the lessening of COVID-19 travel restrictions," Ali Adams, chief executive of ChristchurchNZ, said.

"Hosting SailGP will have positive legacy impacts for Christchurch and Lyttelton by boosting the reputation of the harbour as a sailing destination, and the city as a place capable of hosting large-scale international events. These legacy impacts will be boosted by the multi-year commitment SailGP has made to New Zealand through to 2026. We are also excited about the greater and longer-term future opportunities the event will have for the various communities around Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, including Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke."

SailGP Season 3 Schedule // 2022-2023

2022 May 14-15 Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess June 18-19 United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier July 30-31 Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Plymouth August 19-20 ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix | Copenhagen September 10-11 France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez September 24-25 Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía - Cádiz November 12-13 Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas

2023* March 18-19 New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch May 6-7 United States Sail Grand Prix | San Francisco (Season 3 Grand Final) *Further events will be announced to complete SailGP Season 3.

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SailGP Christchurch: All you need to know for New Zealand debut in Lyttelton

Christopher Reive

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SailGP makes its New Zealand debut this weekend. Photo: David Gray / SailGP

All you need to know ahead of SailGP’s New Zealand debut this weekend.

What exactly is SailGP?

The brainchild of Larry Ellison and Sir Russell Coutts, SailGP is a high-performance sailing series in which teams compete across a season with the ultimate goal of claiming the US$1 million (NZ$1.6m) prize at the end. The current season is the third edition of the competition — the second to feature a New Zealand team — and this weekend’s event in Christchurch will be the first time SailGP has held an event on our shores.

The series is contested in F50 foiling catamarans, similar to those used in the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda. Unlike in the America’s Cup, where boat design is a big part of getting an edge on an opponent, SailGP has a one-design fleet which means every team is sailing with the same equipment, and all nine teams compete at the same time in fleet races.

With the high-speed and precise movements of the vessels, and how busy the race course is, it makes for exciting racing, and the races are completed quickly. An average three-race day will take around 90 minutes to complete.

Each spot of the series — which has grown every year — sees the fleet compete in five races, before the top three on the leaderboard go into the event final, called the podium race. The winner of an event gets 10 points toward the season leaderboard, and the points allocation trickles down from there to two points for ninth place.

At the end of the fleet races for the grand finale in San Francisco next month, the top three teams on the overall leaderboard will contest a one-off race where the winner takes home the prize. So, the goal leading into San Francisco is a top-three finish; there is no benefit to ending the regular season atop the ladder when it comes to the Grand Final shootout race.

Who is racing?

There are nine teams in the current season: New Zealand, Australia (the two-time defending champions), Great Britain, USA, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada and Spain.

Across those teams there are several familiar faces. Among them, New Zealand features the likes of Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, USA is led by Jimmy Spithill, Sir Ben Ainslie is at the helm for Great Britain, and Kiwi Phil Robertson is the driver for Canada.

The season started with a fleet of 10, but the Japan entry was indefinitely withdrawn as only nine vessels were available.

Where are they racing then? And when?

In the season’s penultimate event, SailGP has descended upon Lyttelton Harbour, about 20 minutes outside of Christchurch. The sailing will take place from 3pm to 4.30pm this Saturday and Sunday.

Access to Lyttelton will be restricted between 12pm and 6pm on race days and with no public parking in town or on-site, shuttles will be the fastest, most reliable and most sustainable way for ticket holders to get to and from the venue. They can be caught from the city centre live site, located between Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Cathedral Square. The service runs to the venue from 11.30am to 2.15pm on Saturday and Sunday. Public buses to Lyttelton will continue to operate.

While branded taxis will be able to travel through closures, rideshare services such as Uber will not.

For those who don’t have a ticket to attend the event, the city centre live site will be showing the action on a big screen, and will have a range of activities for kids, food stalls and activations.

How are the Kiwis doing this year?

After some struggles in their debut campaign, the New Zealand SailGP team have been impressive this season and go into the Christchurch event second on the leaderboard. No team has won more races than the New Zealand team this year; however, penalties have cost them points on the leaderboard and they trail the Australians by 12. The remaining events (Christchurch and San Francisco) will be about consolidating their position in the top three for the Kiwis, who would back themselves against anyone when it came to a one-off race.

The team is primarily comprised of Peter Burling (driver), Blair Tuke (wing trimmer), Andy Maloney (flight controller), Liv Mackay (strategist), Josh Junior (grinder), Louis Sinclair (grinder), and Marcus Hansen (grinder), while Jo Aleh and Erica Dawson have also filled the strategist role throughout the season.

What’s this Impact League they keep talking about?

The Impact League was introduced in the second season of SailGP, and tracks the positive actions teams make to reduce their overall carbon footprint and help accelerate inclusivity in sailing — essentially tracking the positive impact the teams have on the environment and promoting the sport.

It is judged through a wide criteria, with everything from the brand their team clothing comes from to the food they eat and fuel usage being tracked and factoring into their result for the event.

The New Zealand team won the Impact League last season, and are again at the top rung of the ladder heading into Christchurch — just three points ahead of Denmark.

How do I watch it if I’m not in Christchurch?

Sky Sport will be broadcasting the action live from 3pm to 4.30pm on Sky Sport 2 on Saturday and Sky Sport 4 on Sunday. Saturday’s racing will be live free-to-air on Three as well, with delayed coverage at 4.30pm on Sunday.

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Concerns for dolphins as sailgp set to begin in lyttelton harbour, many boats expected on the water.

SailGP has spent the last two to three weeks setting up the New Zealand event in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour. Photo: RNZ/Niva Chittock

Described as being like "Formula One without safety barriers", ten high speed catamarans are in town for the New Zealand leg of SailGP this weekend.

Racing is set to begin Saturday afternoon on Christchurch's Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour and organisers were hoping to attract a record crowd of 22,000.

But not everyone was thrilled about the high-speed sailing event.

Canterbury's Harbourmaster and Maritime NZ were gearing up for a busy weekend on the water.

About 180 boats were set to be out over the two days of SailGP racing - more than half of them public spectators.

Harbourmaster Guy Harris was helping to wrangle them all and said there were some changes from last year.

Harbourmaster Guy Harris. Photo: RNZ/Niva Chittock

"Everyone was well behaved actually, we did get involved in a few things, but it was never because people were misbehaving," he said.

"It was just people getting into a bit of a situation they probably weren't aware of. One of the learnings we had from last time is we need to mark the Bring Your Own Boat section better."

There will also be improved measures to keep the harbour operating for everyone, Harris said.

"We've got more buoys in the access lane, so people who want to transit the event, because not everyone is involved with SailGP, some people still want to go fishing. So we've made that a bit clearer as well."

It was lucky Lyttelton had hosted the event already, otherwise it would not have been able to be pulled off in just four months, he said.

Christchurch stepped in to host the event last minute when Auckland pulled out of hosting duties in November .

But coastal advocate Genevieve Robinson did not think the race should be going ahead at all at this time of year.

Coastal advocate and regional councillor Genevieve Robinson. Photo: RNZ/Niva Chittock

It was still within the prime calving season for the endangered Hector's dolphin, found in and around the harbour, she said.

"They're very vulnerable at this stage, they are still in need of their mothers, they are often still suckling.

"The accumulated effects of human-based activity, such as fishing, on the population as well as this, it's just a little bit too much," Robinson said.

A total of 17 Hector's dolphins had died in the South Island since September, according to Department of Conservation data .

Of that number, 10 were as a result of being caught by a commercial fishing trawler.

Last year, two dolphins crossed the boundary into the SailGP race zone, but despite being told to stop racing, the event director allowed it to go ahead .

Robinson, who is also a regional councillor, said SailGP's 2024 revised Marine Mammal Management Plan (MMMP) was still not robust enough, and contained no explicit accountability if one of the catamarans collided with a dolphin at high speed.

"Investigations and concerns regarding the event last year were never really finalised," she said.

"So if there is a horrible event, which I really hope there isn't, then who is liable for that? And how do the public know that something will happen? Because it is public interest. There should be an intervention, liability and closure [if something happens]."

The plan states "Failure to immediately act on the instruction of the MMMP Facilitator to stop or delay racing could result in a breach of the marine mammal protection legislation, obstruction charges, and may result in legal action by the Department of Conservation".

SailGP said when it released the MMMP a week ago that an https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511726/how-endangered-dolphins-could-shut-down-the-sailgp independent race starter had been appointed this year], and a 300 metre buffer zone put in around the whole course.

Like last year, it said there would also be a team of more than two dozen dolphin observers.

As for the public out on the water, Maritime New Zealand's Matt Wood said there was a simple rule to follow if wildlife was spotted nearby.

Maritime New Zealand's Matt Wood. Photo: RNZ/Niva Chittock

"Boaties need to stay at least 150m from a marine mammal, and if they are within 300m, there can't be more than three vessels in that space. So I would say just keep your distance and keep a safe speed," he said.

SailGP was "like Formula One racing without a safety barrier", but a lot of work had gone into making sure everyone was kept safe, Wood said.

"When you're out on the water, wear your life jackets, take two ways to call for help, check the weather to make sure it's suitable for your vessel, avoid alcohol and just know how to stay safe. Make sure you have the knowledge for the vessel and the undertaking that you're getting into."

Before making a splash, boaties should refer to the SailGP website and Canterbury Regional Council's website for the rules and safety advice, he said.

The first race is set to run at 3pm Saturday afternoon.

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Copyright © 2024 , Radio New Zealand

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Published on December 12th, 2023 | by Assoc Editor

SailGP returning to New Zealand in 2024

Published on December 12th, 2023 by Assoc Editor -->

SailGP confirmed that the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will return to Christchurch for its Season 4 iteration, keeping the same dates March 23-24, 2024.

The SailGP sports league had taken a hit as the Auckland event (originally scheduled March 23-24, 2024) in Season Four was cancelled due to unavailability of spectator stands for the harbor course. However, the league was able to shift to Christchurch after hosting an event in Season 3 .

Welcoming the news of the rescheduled event, SailGP global CEO Sir Russell Coutts said, “After extensive consultation with our partners, we’re delighted to confirm the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will be staged once again on the spectacular Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour.

“Christchurch has proven to be one of our very best events to date, with fantastic racing, thousands of fans and spectacular scenery in a natural amphitheater. This is a perfect venue for the stadium-style, inner-harbor racing SailGP is known for around the world and we can’t wait to bring more fans closer to the action with additional grandstands planned for next year’s event.”

The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch will transform Naval Point into a vibrant race stadium, hosting around 22,000 spectators across the weekend.

The Season 4 event will see the return of popular fan experiences, including an enlarged Race Stadium, grandstand seating area and the exclusive Platinum Lawn. For the first time ever in Christchurch, fans will also be able to purchase behind-the-scenes tours of SailGP’s team bases and technical areas.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said, “It’s fantastic to welcome SailGP back to the city in 2024 for this bonus season. This just proves that Christchurch is increasingly seen as the sports and events capital of New Zealand. This year’s event was brilliant, and it was great that Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour was seen around the world in all its glory.

“I’m sure people will get right behind this event once again. I really want to thank Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki, SailGP and ChristchurchNZ for making this happen, this partnership is why we will see SailGP return in 2024.”

New Zealand Major Events Manager Kylie Hawker-Green said, “The inaugural ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix held in Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour earlier this year provided spectators with incredible racing, and we look forward to seeing Christchurch build on that success in 2024.”

SailGP information – YouTube – How to watch

Season Standings (after six of 13 events; results and total points) 1. Australia (Tom Slingsby/Jimmy Spithill), 2-3-2-2-3-2; 52 points 2. Denmark (Nicolai Sehested), 4-2-4-7-2-6; 41 3. New Zealand (Peter Burling), 1-7-8-DNC/6-4-1; 40 4. Great Britain (Ben Ainslie), 7-6-1-1-8-5; 38 5. United States (Jimmy Spithill/Taylor Canfield), 9-5-5-3-1-8; 35 6. Spain (Diego Botin), 5-1-3-6-6-10; 33 7. Canada (Phil Robertson), 3-4-10-5-5-3; 32 8. France (Quintin Delapierre), 6-8-6-4-7-4; 31 9. Switzerland (Sebastien Schneiter), 8-9-9-9-7; 15 10. Germany (Erik Heil), 10-10-7-8-9-10-9; 10

Notes: • Canada SailGP Team: Docked four points in Season Championship for eight-point penalty at France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez • Germany SailGP Team: Docked two points in Season Championship for four-point penalty at Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix • New Zealand SailGP Team: Granted six event points for Italy Sail Grand Prix as unable to compete due to wing damage suffered at France Sail Grand Prix.

Season 4 – 2023 June 16-17 – United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier July 22-23 – United States Sail Grand Prix | Los Angeles September 9-10 – France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez September 23-24 – Italy Sail Grand Prix | Taranto October 14-15 – Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía- Cádiz December 9-10 – Dubai Sail Grand Prix | Dubai*

Season 4 – 2024 January 13-14 – Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix | Abu Dhabi February 24-25 – Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney March 23-24 – New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland March 23-24 – New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch May 4-5 – Bermuda Sail Grand Prix June 1-2 – Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax June 22-23 – United States Sail Grand Prix | New York July 13-14 – SailGP Season 4 Grand Final | San Francisco * Added October 3, 2023

Format for Season 4: • Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans. • Each event runs across two days. • Up to seven qualifying fleet races of approximately 15 minutes may be scheduled for each regatta. • The top three teams from qualifying advance to a final race to be crowned event champion and earn the largest share of the $300,000.00 USD event prize money purse (increases to $400k after Abu Dhabi) that’s divided among the top three teams. • The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams in the season standing with the winner claiming the $2 million USD prize. • The top team on points ahead of the three-boat Championship Final will be awarded $350,000.00.

For competition documents, click here .

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing among national teams in some of the iconic harbors around the globe.

Source: SailGP

Tags: SailGP

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ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch

Getting around during the itm new zealand sail grand prix, traffic management.

To ensure that the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch runs smoothly, a traffic management plan will be in place across the race weekend, Saturday 23 March and Sunday 24 March .

Traffic Management Plan (TMP)

The TMP for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch is similar to last year with a one-way tunnel restriction limiting access into Lyttelton, between 12 – 6pm on race days. During this time, only emergency vehicles, official event vehicles (buses and shuttles), taxis and vehicles with a clearly-displayed pass will be able to access Lyttelton via Tunnel Road. The TMP has been prepared by SailGP in consultation with Christchurch City Council, Waka Kotahi, ChristchurchNZ and the local community, with input from NZ Police and FENZ.

Road Closures & Restrictions

On both days of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, road closures and restrictions will be put in place around midday on Saturday and Sunday and lifted around 6pm each day. Road closures will restrict motor vehicle entry into Lyttelton, but vehicles can exit Lyttelton at any time. Entry to Lyttelton will be blocked from Sumner and Governors Bay. Access to Lyttelton will also be restricted via Bridle Path Road (Heathcote), Ferry Road, and via Bridle Path Road.

During this time, only emergency vehicles, official event vehicles (buses and shuttles), and vehicles with a clearly-displayed access pass will be able to access Lyttelton via Tunnel Road. Only Lyttelton residents, business owners and employees who need to work during race weekend are able to obtain a vehicle access pass. This includes residents between Dyers Pass Road and Lyttelton, as there will be a traffic control point at the bottom of Dyer Pass Road. Bridle Path Road will be used as an access point for permitted road users, where access passes will be checked by the traffic management staff. Regular bus services will also be maintained via Bridle Path Road and will have priority when they arrive at the control point.

The main change from last year will be the implementation of restrictions to create a one-way system where vehicles can access Summit Road only via Evans Pass Road. This will help mitigate congestion issues and facilitate better access for emergency services, vehicles and pedestrians.

Commercial port vehicles, along with event bus access will be maintained via Tunnel Road via Port Hills Road. At all times traffic will be able to leave Lyttelton via the roads listed above. Permitted access may be stopped temporarily if unacceptable congestion is building in Lyttelton. This is not anticipated due to the proposed traffic management measures and is only expected to last for short periods of time if required.

The Christchurch Gondola will remain accessible and unimpeded by the traffic management measures in place over the event weekend.

Inner Harbour Community Access

Bays residents between Dyers Pass Road and Lyttelton will be eligible for access passes and will need them to access the tunnel from Christchurch. Roads serving bay residents outside this area will not have traffic management restrictions but will be patrolled for parking or congestion issues.

Access Outside Of Restrictions

While there are no road closures or restrictions beyond Dyers Pass Road, there are measures in place to maintain traffic flow in the surrounding areas, including monitoring and enforcing parking restrictions and VMS sign boards for live updates on strategic access points.

Traffic Management Within Lyttelton

Once within Lyttelton, there will be a checkpoint on Godley Quay which will only allow permitted vehicles to the event site. Those walking to the event from the Lyttelton township can use a shared path from Lyttelton, down to Te Nukutai o Tapoa Naval Point.

Traffic Management Within Christchurch Central City

Traffic management will also be in place surrounding the city centre transport hub outside Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in order to facilitate safe pick up and drop off for official event shuttles that will be transporting ticket holders to Naval Point. Measures will be in place on Armagh Street and Colombo Street, from 10am – 7pm on 23 – 24 March.

Information About Vehicle Access Passes

During the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, Lyttelton residents are encouraged to stay home and enjoy the excitement unfolding on Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour but if you need to leave and re-enter the restricted access area during this time, you can do so with a vehicle access pass. Businesses that require passes for employees and/or contractors and suppliers will also be able to do so.

It is important to note that only locals who require access into Lyttelton on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March between the hours of 12pm - 6pm will require an access pass. If you do not need to travel from the city to access your home or workplace in Lyttelton during this time, you do not require a pass. All vehicles can leave Lyttelton at all times - no pass is required for this.

Similar to last year, affected addresses will be issued one pass via mail in a letter drop in early March. Households and businesses who wish to discuss unique requirements can email them to [email protected] .

This vehicle access pass will allow access on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March. Please display the pass clearly on the windscreen of your vehicle to ensure traffic marshals can wave you through in a timely manner.

Please remember, traffic management measures are in place to mitigate unwanted impacts on the local community. As such, there will be no access passes issued for visiting friends and family, so we ask that you do not share your pass with those living outside the area if you plan to stay home. Parking in Lyttelton is extremely limited, so if you have friends coming over before the closures are in place at midday, please ensure you can accommodate their vehicles on your own property or they can access Lyttelton in a marked taxi or a local bus. 

Lyttelton Is Open For Business

For Season 4, SailGP will implement a shuttle running between the SailGP Race Stadium at Naval Point and Lyttelton township. This will enable SailGP ticket-holders to visit Lyttelton before or after racing if they wish, and can also be used by Lyttelton locals to get to and from the event site if they have a ticket.

Please note that at all times during the event weekend, non-residents will still be able to access Lyttelton via public buses (number 8) or clearly-marked taxis. Ubers (non-marked vehicles) will not be permitted through road closures. On-street parking during race weekend will be extremely limited, so if you have visitors coming to Lyttelton before midday, please ensure you can accommodate their vehicles on your property or encourage them to travel via bus or taxi.

Boat Ramp Closures

During the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, Naval Point will be transformed into a vibrant event village, accompanied by a technical area for visiting teams and operations. As such, the Naval Point public boat ramp will be closed between 7 March – 30 March. This is to ensure health and safety and mitigate issues of congestion on a busy, working site.

Other closures to note are:

• Windsurf ramps closed: 7 March – 30 March
• Naval Point parking restrictions: from 19 February, and very limited between 4 – 30 March
• Freedom Camping area closed: 4 March – 29 March

Ferry Timetable Changes

Regular passengers on the ferry should note that there will be some changes to the usual timetable around SailGP.

Friday, (March 22):

• Last ferry departs Lyttelton at 1250, Diamond Harbour at 1302.
• Ferry resumes at 1745.
• Trips missed (departing Lyttelton): 1350, 1450, 1520, 1600, 1625, 1650, 1715.

Saturday & Sunday (March 23 & 24):

• Last ferry departs Lyttelton at 1320, Diamond Harbour at 1332.
• Ferry resumes at 1750.
• Trips missed (departing Lyttelton): 1350, 1420, 1450, 1550, 1650.

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Sailing: Christchurch SailGP to be world's largest-ever ticketed sailing event

• Harry Bartle

SailGP Christchurch is on track to become the world's largest-ever ticketed sailing event, with more than 22,000 fans expected to flock to Lyttelton Harbour for the race later this month.   

SailGP chief excutive Sir Russell Coutts, who says 15,000 tickets have already been sold, believes the event is one of the best on the competition's calendar, thanks to both the quality of the racecourse and the passionate Kiwi fans.  

"It's just a fantastic venue," he said. "You can set the facilities upright on the water's edge and the breeze generally aligns with the spectator viewing so in those terms it's a fantastic venue.  

"The sailors also really like it, there's not too much disturbance because the wind funnels through the Port Hills."   

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It's the second time Lyttelton has held a SailGP event after Canada won the inaugural race there in 2023.  

"It's great to bring an event like this to this part of the county," Sir Russell continued.   

"It's great to expose this race to a new audience and get them enthusiastic for it. And It's a great advertisement for New Zealand."  

The world champion Yachtsman has also heavily invested in improving the event in 2024, with extra entertainment lined up throughout the weekend.   

"This year we've got some exciting after-party activities planned. Dave Dobbyn is playing on Saturday and Shapeshifter on Sunday."   

New Zealand are currently jostling at the top of the leaderboard with three-time SailGP defending champions Australia.   

After failing to win on their home turf in 2023, the Kiwis will be hoping to flip the script when they return to Lyttelton. 

"I hope they [New Zealand] can pull it off, but the Aussies will be tough to beat," Sir Russell concluded. 

Tune into Three or ThreeNow for live, free-to-air coverage of all 12 SailGP events this season. 

SailGP races called off due to dolphin activity on course

Yachts race in Lyttelton Harbour in the 2023 event. (Source: 1News)

Racing has been cancelled on the opening day of the SailGP series in Christchurch's Lyttelton Harbour after "prolonged mammal activity" on the racecourse.

Marine mammal sightings lasted the duration of the race window.

SailGP's website read: "SailGP is committed to minimizing risk to the marine environment and has comprehensive protocols developed in conjunction with local authorities and experts to avoid contact with wildlife."

A day after SailGP chief Sir Russell warned the harbour would not host the series again, marine mammals moved in to prove his point.

The Associated Press reported there were dolphins near the start line of the course throughout the period in which racing was due to take place.

The 10 competing teams waited on the course for around 90 minutes before organisers determined there was not enough time left in the day for even one race to be completed.

A statement from the event organisers said: "As racing was due to start at 3pm local time, confirmation was received of a dolphin sighting on the racecourse.

"In line with SailGP protocol, racing was delayed to allow the dolphin to pass through safely but unfortunately it did not move outside the race course area, meaning that racing could not take place."

SailGP Managing Director Andrew Thompson said it was a really challenging day today and disappointing for the capacity crowd.

"We have a marine mammal plan and that plan was in place and unfortunately it meant we couldn't sail today.

“The athletes were ready to go, the conditions were epic and we were looking forward to some really fast racing.

Sunday’s racing was expected to go ahead as scheduled — sea creatures permitting.

"The conditions are looking really top end for tomorrow," Thompson said. "Hopefully the F50s will be out there, ripping around and we can send the fans home super happy.”

Sail legend Peter Burling: 'It's pretty disappointing'

Black Foils driver Peter Burling said: “It's pretty disappointing not to get racing today, not just for us, but for our fans, who came down to cheer us on. The support from the stands was incredible and a big thank you from all of us.

"We hope we will be back on the water and put on an amazing show tomorrow.”

Ticket holders from today have received confirmation via email they would get a refund for the cancelled Saturday event.

In terms of racing, SailGP hoped to have a "Super Sunday" consisting of three fleet races and then a winner takes all final.

Saturday's called-off races were to be the ninth event of the season.

The day was already off to a bad start for the Great Britain team, which was docked eight event points and four season points after a "practice racing incident with Spain".

1News exclusively reported on Friday that SailGP chief executive Sir Russell Coutts had declared Christchurch was unlikely to host the New Zealand leg again .

Among his concerns were a lack of flexibility and pressure from minority groups.

There had been fears about collisions with endangered Hector’s dolphins, including from the Department of Conservation.

An independent decision-maker was in place with the ability to halt racing if dolphins got too close.

It was revealed at last year’s final race, two dolphins crossed the boundary into the race zone as vessels approached the final marker.

On that occasion, the race director didn’t stop proceedings.

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