There is now just one week to go until SailGP’s hotly anticipated return to Christchurch for Season 4’s ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix.
The event, taking place across March 23-24, will see the 10-strong F50 fleet resume battle on the waters of Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour.
The racecourse, race times and racing crews have now been confirmed ahead of the fleet hitting the water to begin crucial training time. The two days of adrenaline-fueled racing will comprise five fleet races before the top three teams proceed into the winner-takes-all showdown.
It comes after Christchurch was named the ‘best venue’ on the SailGP calendar in an anonymous athlete poll.
Christchurch marks the 9th event of Season 4’s record 13-event calendar, which means mid-fleet teams will be putting it all on the line to move up the season leaderboard ahead of San Francisco’s Grand Final.
Bolstered by the return of driver Peter Burling, New Zealand will be going all out to convert the home town support into an event win - especially after losing out last season to Phil Robertson’s Canada.
It comes after fierce rivals Australia - currently top of the season leaderboard - secured its first event win of the season at home in Sydney last month, with the Kiwis finishing in third.
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch takes place on March 23-24, with racing from 15:00 NZDT.