The first ever ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch did not disappoint, with plenty of close crosses, near misses and neck-and-neck battles to the finish. From Canada’s historic triumph to New Zealand just missing a home win, we round up five moments you might have missed from the weekend.
Canada picks up historic first win
It was a historic event for Phil Robertson’s Canada, which squeezed into the Final after picking up a 5-3-1-6-4 fleet racing record and entered a head-to-head battle against the Kiwis in the fast and furious showdown. Despite picking up a boundary penalty and falling off the foils, the Canadians trounced home favorites New Zealand and season leaders Australia on the waters of Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour, picking up its first ever event win.
France crash fleet race four
It was a tricky event for Quentin Delapierre’s France. Despite dominating the first fleet race, the French ended the event with an inconsistent 1-6-5-3-7 race record, leaving them in fifth overall at the end of the event. A key moment for the French came at the end of the fourth fleet race. The team were going head-to-head with the Kiwis when aggressive tactics by Peter Burling saw the French crash down just meters from finish line.
New Zealand so close to home win
Home town favorites New Zealand hit the water with purpose, picking up a 2-1-2-2-3 race record that propelled them straight into the Final. The Kiwis executed a perfect start as the Final got underway, but Canada was first to Mark One with the all-important inside track. Despite briefly leading the race, the Kiwis were unable to overtake, leaving them in second overall and a whisker away from winning their first ever home event.
AUS X NZL near miss
Christchurch was packed with close crosses, dramatic penalties and near misses. One key moment saw rivals Australia and New Zealand narrowly avoid each other, before the Canadians came up on the Kiwis’ tail. Crews had little familiarity with the course ahead of the event due to practice racing being canceled, resulting in even more tense boat-on-boat situations.
Denmark poor performance
Denmark was sitting in fifth place overall ahead of Christchurch, leaving everything to play for. But Nicolai Sehested’s crew had an uncharacteristically poor performance across the weekend, ending the event with a 7-8-8-7-8 race record and in seventh overall. Still sitting in fifth, the Danes have a total of 60 points - nine points behind France in third, evaporating their chances of securing a place in the the three-boat Season 3 Grand Final.
