yacht racing christchurch

Live updates: NZ Sail Grand Prix at Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch, Day One

NZ strategist Liv Mackay in practice at NZ SailGP. Credits: Image - Photosport; video - Newshub

App users click here for latest updates

Placings: 1-Canada 10pts, 2-NZ 9pts, 3-GB 8pts, 4-USA 7pts, 5-France 6pts, 6-Switzerland 5pts, 7-Spain 4pts, 8-Denmark 3pts, 9-Australia 2pts

Overall: 1-NZ 28pts, 2-Canada 24pts, 3-GB 23pts, 4-France 21pts, 5-Australia 18pts, 6-USA 16pts, 7-Switzerland 14pts, 8-Denmark 10pts, 9-Spain 8pts

Great day for the Kiwis, with three top-two finishes. They have inside running towards the final, but two more races tomorrow before we get there. 

Some teams have work to do, with Australia suffering some damage, and GB and France battling for a spot in the final, behind Canada.

Join us again tomorrow for the second day of racing at Lyttelton.

Canada cross first, but NZ right on their heels, with GB an important third. USA next, then France.

Top speed for the race was 88.2kph by Canada

Canada and NZ head into the last gate, Canadians still ahead...

Canada ahead at the gate, NZ second and GB third. Kiwis split and have right of way next time they cross with Canada.

NZ and GB have all the speeed, and they are gaining on Canada. Mini match race between NZ and GB, but the Aussies have a broken rudder and trail in eighth.

Kiwis within 85 metres of Canada, British chasing them hard and now right on them.

Canada still ahead and NZ follow them around the fourth gate. GB third and France are now up to fourth.

Kiwis have dropped the Aussies and GB also move through into third.

Canada first around, but NZ and Australia have right of way over GB and are next around. They split from the Canadians and head down the right of the course.

The Kiwis may have edged ahead of GB, as they head into the gate

Canada into a big lead, GB second, NZ third

Canada head into Gate Two, but NZ now third, behind France. The French fall off the foils and suffer a penalty, after turning too close to the Aussies.

Big pack at the head of the field, but NZ off the back, serving their penalty. They move through the fleet to second, great recovery.

Spithill hits the line first and fastest for USA, with the Kiwis trailling at the back of the field.

One minute to go and NZ have taken a middle course for this start. They incur a boundary penalty...

Another seven legs with wind speed of 28kph.

Winds have become gustier through the course of the afternoon and the finish-line has moved as a result. France are having trouble with their boat, with only three minutes until the start of the next race.

Placings: 1-NZ 10pts, 2-Australia 9pts, 3-Canada 8pts, 4-GB 7pts, 5-USA 6pts, 6-France 5pts, 7-Switzerland 4pts, 8-Denmark 3pts, 9-Spain 2pts

Overall: 1-NZ 19pts, 2-Australia 16pts, 3-France & GB 15pts, 5-Canada 14pts, 6-Switzerland & USA 9pts, 8-Denmark 7pts, 9-Spain 4pts

NZ take the lead of the regatta, with the Aussies second, and France and GB battling for the third spot

NZ heading straight to the finish and will take the win. Great result for  their hopes of making tomorrow's final, beating Australia.

NZ now 71kph and lead by 250 metres, heading to the last gate, then a sprint to the finish

They round Gate Five ahead, Australia second and Canada third...GB have moved up the fleet to fifth, but France eighth

Kiwis leading downwind at 58kph, with Australia second. They've picked up a windshift and are now more than 100 metres clear.

Aussies follow Kiwis around fourth gate and almost crash. NZ only just recover from that turn, but Aussies have lost ground.

NZ and Australia on opposite sides of the course again and the Kiwis ahead now, Canada third... GB seventh and France eighth.

Australia have to dip under the Kiwis at the gate, so NZ lead around gate three

NZ dip below Australia, but will hold right-of-way next time they meet. Canada in third, then Denmack and France back in sixth, GB at the rear, so good news for the Kiwis.

Australia and NZ split to opposite sides of the course, Spain teeter and almost capsize. Denmark in third, same side as Australia.

Australia and NZ head the field into the second gate...

The fleet head towards the right layline and then Gate Two, still jockeying for positions.

NZ catch that start perfectly, Australia in the lead, but the Kiwis fastest on the line...

One minute siren sounds, with NZ at the right end of the field and one of the last to turn towards the line.

Two minutes until the start of Race Two, so very little time to reflect in this rapidfire format. Confirmation of seven legs again for this race, same as the first.

Placings: 1-France 10pts, 2-NZ 9pts, 3-GB 8pts, 4-Australia 7pts, 5-Canada 6pts, 6-Switzerland 5pts, 7-Denmark 4pts, 8-USA 3pts, 9-Spain 2pts

Good start from the Kiwis, as they try to nail a spot in tomorrow's final and only three boats progressing, but their nearest rivals are also right there in contention.

Kiwis have split from France and have just one manoeuvre, compared to two from their opponents, but France have too much speed and win the race.

NZ are second, 13 seconds back, and GB third.

French have lengthened their advantage again over the Kiwis, as they approach the sixth gate and head to the finish

France around the fifth gate first and go right, NZ head left, GB and Australia follow France. Canad and Denmark almost collide at the gate

NZ closing right up on France on the right layline

France round the fourth gate first, NZ go right, but the Aussies split left.

NZ closing on the French, now within 125m, GB and Australia dicing for third

USA and Switzerland have penalties for leaving the course

France have opened up a couple of hundred metres in the lead and NZ still second, with Australia third

Aussies tack in front of the Kiwis, France round first and NZ second, Australia, then GB

Kiwis have moved into second and gaining on the French upwind to the third gate.

Upwind, France in the lead, Australia second, NZ in fourth, behind Canada and closing on the French.

France lead around gate two, Australia next, NZ close on the leaders

Canada hold the lead at the first mark, but the field still spread across the track as they turn towards gate two. NZ back in seventh, France take the lead...

Clean start by all, with Canada in the middle and NZ at the right, trying to round the field.

Timing is everything here, as the boats round towards the line.

Less than two minutes and boats are milling around the start area, preparing to unleash their pre-start manoeuvres. One minute to go now...

3:36pm - The dolphins have gone and racing will begin in six minutes.

3:30pm - Still no sailing on the course, as dolphins pass through...

3:11pm - The first race has been delayed, after a dolphin sighting near the course. SailGP is very conscious of preserving the ocean and its wildlife, so the dolphins must come first.

3:02pm - The format for racing this weekend will see three races today and two more tomorrow, before the three-boat regatta final.

Beautiful day at Lyttelton with a nice wind - perfect conditions.

Just under eight minutes to the start of Race One.

NZ driver Peter Burling is downplaying the Aussie rivalry, despite their complaints that the Kiwis snuck out on the course for a quick reconnaissance.

The defending champions are there purely for nuisance value today, as they have clinched their spot in the Grand Final and can only influence who their opponents will be.

Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of NZ Sail Grand Prix at Christchurch's Lyttelton Harbour.

After COVID-19 delays, New Zealand finally gets to host a leg of the sailing world series on home waters and this particular regatta - the penultimate event on the 2022/23 scheduled - couldn't come at a better time for the home team.

With two-time defending champions Australia well clear at the top of the standings and assured of a spot in the decider at San Francisco in May, the Kiwis currently occupy second spot, with the field snapping at their heels.

More from Newshub

Only three teams will contest the final, so Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will be keen to take advantage of their local knowledge to clinch one of those spots.

Like Burling and Tuke, many of the other leading sailors are well know to NZ fans through their involvement in America's Cup, so established rivalries will come to the fore, especially old mates Jimmy Spithill and Sir Ben Ainslie.

Join us at 3pm for all the onwater action.

TAB Odds: NZ $3, Australia $3.40, France $5.50, Great Britain $7, Denmark $13, USA $15, Canada $17, Spain $26, Switzerland $31

Overall standings: 1-Australia 76 points, 2-NZ 64, 3-France 63, 4-Great Britain 61, 5-Denmark 57, 6-USA 53, 7-Canada 49, 8-Spain 27, 9-Switzerland 25

'Redheaded stepchild': Spithill's colourful relationship with Kiwis continues at SailGP

Alex Powell

Jimmy Spithill is the man Kiwi sailing fans have long loved to hate and he's relishing that tag once again, as SailGP makes its New Zealand debut at Lyttelton this weekend.

Spithill was at the helm as the man responsible for one of the greatest heartbreaks in New Zealand sporting history.

In 2013, at 8-1 down in the America's Cup final at San Francisco, Spithill masterminded a fairytale recovery effort, as Oracle Team USA came back to stun Team NZ to snatch the 'Auld Mug'.

Team NZ got their own back in Bermuda four years later, but Spithill's status as the archetypal sporting villain will forever endure - not that he minds.

As SailGP makes its belated debut in New Zealand, the Aussie is back in the heart of enemy territory.

Despite his Australian roots, Spithill is the chief executive and driver of Team USA, and will compete on Kiwi waters once again at a vital time in the campaign.

Back in Aotearoa, he's been reminded how he's viewed by Kiwis. 

"A guy came up to me on the street the other day and said, 'You're basically the redheaded stepchild of New Zealand'," Spithill joked. "I took it as a compliment, obviously.

"I've got a lot of friends, fans and feedback here, for sure. It's a great place.

"I've never been to Christchurch, [it's my] first time down here, it's an amazing city… the forecast looks unreal. I'm pretty pumped to get out there."

With only one regular leg left before the Grand Final in May, Spithill's Team USA sit sixth in SailGP's standings, 24 points off first-placed Australia and nine points adrift of the top three.

A good performance this weekend will boost USA's chances of reaching the finale, needing a top three finish to qualify, but even with it all to do over the coming days, Spithill knows his side have what it takes.

"There's a lot of points still available, just in the amount of racing that's there," he added. "With the penalty system, any time there's damage or a collision, there's also a lot of points that can be lost - quickly.

"From my point of view, it's possible, we have to believe that, but at the end of the day, if you think too far ahead to the finish-line, it's a waste of energy. You've really got to focus on one race at a time, that's the situation we're in.

"We're one of a few teams that have shown we can actually win this season. We've had a few good results, we've had some bad ones too.

"San Francisco is a big one for us. We'd love to get ready for that one and come out firing.

"Who knows, we'll see what can happen. Things can change really quick in SailGP."

• Nautic Shows
• America’s Cup
• Classic Yachts
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Superyachts
• Yachts News
• Destinations
• Yacht Clubs
• Boat Racing
• Meta Yachts

Excitement is ramping up for SailGP’s return to Christchurch for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix next weekend on March 23-24.

New Zealand will mark the 9th event on Season 4’s record 13-event calendar, but only the second time SailGP has visited the Kiwi venue, which was voted the best location on Season 3’s circuit in an anonymous athlete poll.

The event will comprise five fleet races before the winner-takes-all, three boat Final and see the return of New Zealand driver Peter Burling to the Kiwi F50.

Burling, who missed last month’s event in Sydney for the birth of his child, will aim to convert the home support into a fourth Season 4 event win. It comes after Phil Robertson’s Canada beat New Zealand and Australia to win the first ever Christchurch event last season.

Tickets are currently on sale for an extensive range of experiences both on and off the water, with shoreside spectators watching from the Race Stadium and Platinum Lawn.

Fans also have the chance to watch all the racing action from the water through the the Bring Your Own Boat and Adrenaline Yachts programs.

The Race Stadium will be open from 11:30am to 7.30pm NZDT on both race days, with racing taking place between 3pm-4.30pm NZDT.  Iconic live music acts have been confirmed  for both days, with Dave Dobbyn performing on the Platinum Lawn after racing on Saturday, and Shapeshifter performing on the same stage after racing on Sunday.

The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch takes place on March 23-24.

• SailGP's Christchurch

RELATED ARTICLES

Peter burling’s take: australia mark crash penalty and grand final challengers, america’s cup and sailgp agree to merge yacht designs, jimmy spithill addressing controversies at sailgp in lyttelton, black foils triumph in dramatic sailgp christchurch races, dolphin activity halts racing on opening day of itm new zealand sail grand prix | christchurch, sailgp returns to san francisco for season 4 grand final showdown.

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.

LATEST ARTICLES

Barcelona’s waters witness swiss precision: alinghi red bull racing takes flight in pre-america’s cup training, solaris yachts and barcolana join hands for the first barcolana solaris adriatic cup, palmavela offshore race crowns the winners of its fourth edition, editor picks, canadian beau lake introduces the tahoe ’14 and lugano ’14 electric runabouts, underwater adventure and exploration with deepflight’s super falcon 3s, driving performance on land and on water: 41′ amg carbon edition, popular posts, young designer of the year 2022: ioana valentina corcodel reveals 65m ophelia concept, mirabaud sailing video of the century: celebrating 2 decades of passion, superyacht the flying fox seized in the dominican republic, popular category.

• Regatta 821
• America's Cup 420
• Motor Yachts 264
• Boating 216
• Superyachts 186
• Sailing 179
• Yachts News 174
• Sailing Yachts 165

Search form

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

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image.

• 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.

Related Stories

Retail worker allegedly assaulted by ‘troublemaker’ teens

Club members vote to sell venue

Where's the weather heading this winter?

Motor racing Mauger back on the track

Police investigate more burgalries and a ram-raid

Armed police descend on Mairehau street

Builders working on schools unaware of asbestos

Council will likely fund cash-strapped Arts Centre

Fitness classes for night 'clubbers'

Talented ballet dancer steps up to world stage

Repeat offender sent sex images to child

Winning Lotto ticket sold at BP Mairehau

SailGP Christchurch: How to watch in NZ, start times, odds, crew lists

Christopher Reive

Share this article

After taking time to celebrate the miracle of life, Peter Burling returns to SailGP having seen his team perform from a new perspective.

As Burling and his wife, Lucinda Nelson, welcomed their first child around the same time as the SailGP regatta in Sydney last month, Burling watched the racing from back home as Nathan Outteridge stepped in as driver for the event.

The Kiwi team, who now go by the moniker of the Black Foils , sailed well to secure a third-placed finish, though a butchered start in the podium race added a layer of frustration to things. Tom Slingsby led the Australians to their first win over the season, while Nicolai Sehested guided the Danish to second place.

It wasn’t the first time this season Burling has had to watch the racing from the sidelines after the Kiwi team was forced to sit out the event in Italy due to a damaged boat, but it was the first time since their debut season that Burling had to watch his team sail without him.

“It’s definitely a little weird following racing from afar. It was great to be able to keep a lot of dialogue with our coaching staff and keep quite connected to the team,” Burling said.

“It looked like they had it in the bag then got a bit trigger-happy at the end. It would’ve been nice if Nicolai had stayed ahead of Tom, to be honest. We were quite happy with his team taking a long time to get a win on the board this season.”

Burling returns at the helm for the Kiwis in their home event on Lyttelton Harbour this weekend with a refreshed view, looking to go one better than their second-placed finish in 2023.

“It’s been an absolutely awesome time,” Burling said of welcoming his first child. “Lucy and the little one have been going absolutely amazing. It’s a cool part of life, but we’re down here in Lyttelton now and ready to race.”

With more than 22,000 fans expected at Naval Point to take in the action across the weekend, the regatta is set to become the world’s largest ticketed sailing event. Other major regattas like the America’s Cup and Ocean Race are unticketed.

Burling said it was an indication of the appetite for sailing in New Zealand and the Black Foils were looking forward to putting on a show for their fans.

“The amount of support we’ve been getting from home right from the beginning of the SailGP journey has been incredible.

“Kiwis really love getting along to sailing events, watching and supporting, and just getting the fan base grow and grow as the events go on, it’s amazing to have so many passionate Kiwis down here.

“I would be lying if I said everyone in our team wasn’t super excited about racing in front of so many people this weekend.”

How to watch in New Zealand

SailGP Christchurch will be live on Three at 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, while racing can also be streamed live and on-demand on the ThreeNow app.

Racing is scheduled to run between 3pm-4.30pm on both days, though delays are possible - as was seen during the event last year.

TAB odds to win the event

Australia $2.90 New Zealand $3.25 Denmark $8 All other teams $11+

New Zealand: Peter Burling (driver), Blair Tuke (wing trimmer), Andy Maloney (flight controller), Liv Mackay (strategist), Josh Junior, Louis Sinclair, Marcus Hansen (grinders)

Australia: Tom Slingsby (driver), Kyle Langford (wing trimmer), Jason Waterhouse (flight controller), Nina Curtis (strategist), Kinley Fowler, Sam Newton (grinders), Ed Powys (reserve)

Canada: Phil Robertson (driver), Paul Campbell-James (wing trimmer), Billy Gooderham (flight controller), Annie Haegar (strategist), Tom Ramshaw, Jake Lilley, Jareese Finch (grinders)

Denmark: Nicolai Sehested (driver), Tom Johnson (wing trimmer), Rasmus Kostner (flight controller), Anne-Marie Rindom (strategist), Julius Hallstrom, Hans-Christian Rosendahl, Luke Payne (grinders)

France: Quentin Delapierre (driver), Kevin Peponnet (wing trimmer), Jason Saunders (flight controller), Manon Audinet (strategist), Matthieu Vandame, Timothe Lapauw, Olivier Herledant (grinders)

Germany: Erik Heil (driver), Stuart Bithell (wing trimmer), James Wierzbowski (flight controller), Anna Barth (strategist), Dan Morris, Jonathan Knottnerus-Meyer (grinders)

Great Britain: Giles Scott (driver), Iain Jensen (wing trimmer), Luke Parkinson (flight controller), Hannah Mills (strategist), Nick Hutton, Neil Hunter (grinders), Hannah Diamond (reserve strategist)

Spain: Diego Bontin (driver), Florian Trittel (wing trimmer), Joel Rodriguez (flight controller), Nicole van der Velden (strategist), Stewart Dodson, Bernardo Freitas (grinders), Joan Cardona (grinder/tactician)

Switzerland: Nathan Outteridge (driver), Will Ryan (wing trimmer), Nicolas Rolaz (flight controller), Laurane Mettraux (strategist), Jeremy Bachelin, Julien Rolaz, Elliot Merceron (grinders)

United States: Taylor Canfield (driver), Victor Diaz de Leon (wing trimmer), Leo Takahashi (flight controller), Mac Agnese (flight controller/grinder), Anna Weis (strategist/grinder), Mike Buckley (strategist), Peter Kinney, Ben Bardwell (grinders)

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.

Latest from Sailing

'Ridiculously harsh' penalty system causes SailGP shakeup

'It’s a bit weird to be honest to know we’ve got a good lead at the top,' Burling said.

America's Cup teams combine to form new hub

'Pushing super hard': Team NZ already in final days at home with AC75

Why new Team NZ boat won't be at 100 per cent until October

The people who pick up the pieces

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch - Day 1

Related Articles

SailGP: Christchurch, New Zealand event completes eight event 2021-22 circuit

SailGP has announced a full race schedule for its second season, which will feature eight national teams made up of the sport’s best athletes squaring off in eight events across three continents.

The schedule represents an expansion from five events in the league’s inaugural season (2019), and will kick off in Bermuda in less than 100 days, making stops in a total of seven first-time venues across five countries.

In addition to Bermuda (April 24-25) and previously announced new host cities Taranto (ITA, June 5-6), Plymouth (GBR, July 17-18), Aarhus (DEN, August 20-21), Saint-Tropez (FRA, September 11-12) and Cadiz (ESP, October 9-10), SailGP will also make its first visit to Christchurch for New Zealand’s maiden grand prix on January 29-30, 2022.

The season will culminate with the Grand Final in San Francisco on March 26-27, 2022, when the champion will be determined in a single $1 million winner-takes-all final.

SailGP’s second season will feature Tom Slingsby’s reigning champion Australian team, along with crews from Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States.

Denmark and Spain will be embarking on their first full SailGP seasons after the 2020 campaign was suspended, while New Zealand will be making its league debut led by Olympic champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. In addition, Sir Ben Ainslie will be racing his first full season at the helm of the British entry, while Jimmy Spithill will be piloting a new-look U.S. team for the first time.

Beyond entertaining fans around the world, SailGP will leverage its global platform to champion a better world powered by nature, with a focus on accelerating a transition to clean energy. As part of its Race for the Future purpose-driven agenda, the league will also begin training female athletes within each of the eight sailing teams, and will be using its community-engagement arm – SailGP Inspire – to introduce youth from diverse backgrounds to the sport and wider marine industry.

In its first season, SailGP had a worldwide broadcast audience of 256 million across five events, and expects to see that number grow significantly with the increase to eight stops. Broadcast partnerships for Season 2 are already in place in more than 100 territories, including Australia (Fox Sports), Denmark (TV 2 Sport), France (Canal+ Sport), Japan (DAZN), New Zealand (Sky Sport), Spain (TVE and TV3), UK/Ireland (SKY Sports) and the U.S. (CBS Sports).

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “There’s rarely been a time in my lifelong sailing career when I’ve been as enthusiastic as I am about our upcoming season. In just over three months, we’ll have the world’s best sailors lining up in equally matched boats for what is shaping up to be some of the sport’s most competitive racing yet. I can’t think of a better way for SailGP to reemerge, and I believe our fans will be taking notice not only of our thrilling racing, but of the new standards we’ll be setting in running our events in a sustainable and inclusive way.”

Ōtautahi Christchurch rounds out Season 2 calendar

Following a competitive bid process, Ōtautahi Christchurch – the largest city in the South Island – was selected to host the New Zealand Grand Prix. The seventh SailGP event in the calendar will take place in the spectacular Lyttelton Harbour, which is located on the side of an extinct volcano on the east coast of New Zealand and under the guardianship of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, the local Māori community.

Coutts said: “Christchurch is one of New Zealand’s most exciting venues. The positioning of the race course is quite similar to the layout of our event in San Francisco, which should provide spectacular viewing for our spectators. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Lyttelton Harbour, we expect this event will draw passionate spectators from across the country and Australia, provided the COVID-19 situation improves as we hope it will.

“Aotearoa New Zealand is a strong sailing nation and Ōtautahi Christchurch has a proud sporting heritage, so we expect Lyttelton Harbour will deliver fantastic conditions and a very warm welcome to all teams and visiting fans.”

Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ general manager of destination and attraction, said:

“SailGP represented a unique and unmissable opportunity for the city. This is an entirely different event to those we typically attract to Christchurch, and we jumped at the chance to bid to host SailGP. We are a city of sport and innovation, and SailGP combines these in a way only a handful of global sporting spectacles can.

“Major events like this bring vibrancy to the city, bring communities together, attract visitors and stimulate economic activity. In addition, the event has a focus on sustainability, diversity, innovation and leaving a positive legacy in host cities, something that we are incredibly excited to work together with SailGP to achieve.”

Olympic gold medalists and co-CEOs of the New Zealand SailGP Team Burling and Tuke will be able to delight home crowds following their defence of the America’s Cup.

Burling said: “We are proud to represent New Zealand and there is nothing better than competing on home waters supported by our country’s sports fans, so we are stoked to bring the global event to Christchurch. We can’t wait to start racing in SailGP and sharing our Live Ocean conservation message along the way, which we know fans here in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world will get behind.”

SAILGP SEASON 2 SCHEDULE*

April 24-25, 2021 Bermuda Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess June 5-6, 2021 Italy Grand Prix | Taranto July 17-18, 2021 Great Britain Grand Prix | Plymouth August 20-21, 2021 ROCKWOOL Denmark Grand Prix | Aarhus September 11-12, 2021 France Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez October 9-10, 2021 Spain Grand Prix | Andalusia January 29-30, 2022 New Zealand Grand Prix | Christchurch March 26-27, 2022 United States Grand Prix | San Francisco (Season 2 Grand Final)

* Subject to change

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]

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.

Have An Additional Traffic Management Query?

Email us at:

• [email protected]
• {{nav.Name}}
• {{tag.Name}}

{{state.category != 'rec' ? state.category + ' Christchurch' : 'Recommended for you'}}

Recommended for you.

No results found, please try another search.

0">{{places.length }} results found for "{{activeSearchQuery}}"

{{place.Title}}

{{place.SynopsisDescription | striphtml | truncate(37, '...')}}

No results found, please try another filter.

{{displayedListing.Title}} to {{selectedGoogleLocation.Title}}

{{displayedlisting.title}}, share this page.

• Explore More

{{place.Description | striphtml | truncate(37, '...')}}

This site uses cookies to provide you with the best experience. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. Find out more in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Fierce competition marks city's 125 years of model yacht racing

The rain did nothing to deter the battle for supremacy in what is a long-time tradition.

When it started pouring with rain on Saturday, many of the sailors on the banks of Lake Victoria, in Christchurch's Hagley Park, didn’t even flinch.

While their jackets welled up, they kept their eyes on the water, as dozens of tiny model boats jostled for position.

They are no toys: the racing is serious business, a tradition that’s continued for more than a century in Christchurch.

“[You’re always] looking up the course, looking at other boats, where the advantage might be on the start line,” said Graham Parratt, a legendary model sailor known as “Parrot”, who has won the local championship five times.

Saturday’s races were held in honour of the 125th anniversary of the Christchurch Model Yacht Club. Most events involve a miniature boat known as the Canterbury Jay, which is just over a metre in length and has sails controlled by a radio transmitter.

It’s a great passion for the members of the club, who are aged between 40 and 97 years old.

Club secretary Al Ross says many were formerly sailors in their younger days.

“A lot of our sailors are ex-sailors of big boats, and they get a bit sick of having to spend all day of getting cold, and getting hurt, and spending lots of money,” he said.

“They come here, and you get the same satisfaction of sailing around a course, competing around a course according to the rules of sailing, and just the social aspects are very important for these guys too.”

Many are built by hand, with experts like Graeme Raxworthy, a former panel beater, becoming sought after for model boat building prowess.

Raxworthy has now built in excess 40 of the crafts, and jokes he “lives in the shed”.

“There’s great camaraderie here, a good bunch of guys, and if you're down here on a Wednesday and you hear them all arguing and carrying on and half an hour later, they're all best of mates,” he said, laughing.

“It's a hell of a lot of fun, and the rules of racing apply out here, just as they would on Lyttleton Harbour. So we've got people that don't know the rules, people that don't want to know the rules and others that know them very clearly.”

Competition remained fierce as racing got underway on Saturday with “Parrot", the champion model sailor, relegated to the microphone.

Asked whether it was an intentional strategy, to keep him in the commentators box, he joked that it was “fair”.

“My wife says at times, ‘you go down to make friends, stop winning!’”.

A new sailor was soon crowed victor, and there was nothing miniature about the trophy.

The victor held it aloft to rapturous applause from his fellow sailors, his name added to the 125 years of history.

More Stories

ECan chair steps down, pending investigation

Environment Canterbury chairperson Peter Scott has stepped aside while investigation is made into his recent media comments about his farming activity.

Heavy rain to lash central New Zealand overnight

The slow-moving front is likely to bring a period of moderate to heavy rain to some places.

Sightings sought of fisherman missing for more than a week

Tue, Apr 30

Chch man charged after allegedly making 'intimate' recordings of women

Watch: Police release video of alleged Christchurch bus assault

Mon, Apr 29

Man killed in ATV crash in Waihao Downs

Sun, Apr 28

Aus man jailed for raping masked intruder in home

August 29, 2023

'Thank you for watching' – Midday signs off for the final time

Australian PM concerned for fate of brothers missing in Mexico

Father convicted of killing three young sons prepares fourth appeal

Thursday 12:37pm

South Wairarapa Mayor not backing down in wake of complaints

Wait for new passports increases further

Aus ex-lawyer allegedly trafficked 120kg of cocaine in frozen chickens

Hurricanes whallop Waratahs in Wellington

Wild orangutan uses medicinal plant to treat wound

Female youth arrested after alleged Mount Maunganui mall stabbing

Nearly 2200 arrests during pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses

Toyota helps drive community sports groups to success

Sponsored by Toyota

More from Entertainment

Legendary ‘King of Twang’ guitarist Duane Eddy dies aged 86

He left a legacy that inspired everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.

Drake, Adele, Billie Eilish music returning to TikTok

Universal Music Group has struck a new licensing agreement with TikTok after an approximately three-month long dispute.

Britney Spears reaches divorce settlement with estranged husband

Dan Schneider sues Quiet On Set producers for defamation

Thursday 9:45pm

'Became a parody': Hemsworth on Waititi-directed Love and Thunder

Thursday 1:26pm

Andy Lee engaged to long-term girlfriend Rebecca Harding

Thursday 10:42am