Preparations are well underway for this weekend’s ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, with the F50s and athletes arriving in Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour.
![Season 4 // The pre-race tech base set up in Christchurch](http://images.ctfassets.net/2lppn7hwgzta/zSa9Q4cNJPfroiqk7VE9w/56399f039724a7eeb92d586af489dbbd/RP4_6011.jpg)
The Tech Base has now been built and the F50s are being assembled ahead of the 9th event of Season 4’s 13-stop calendar.
![Season 4 // Germany F50 driver Erik Heil at SailGP Tech Base during Christchurch set up](http://images.ctfassets.net/2lppn7hwgzta/7C1nGOZxQOk9WjDWjQWHL9/98bf9829a3b431c9b03390f37f2fddee/RP4_6364.jpg)
Two days of fast and furious racing action will take place on March 23-24, with the 10-strong F50 fleet hitting the water on March 22 for practice racing.
![Season 4 // Member of Tech Team sets up an F50 during Christchurch set up](http://images.ctfassets.net/2lppn7hwgzta/2YertNnsff33Xmc2fDtVj9/30550b4c71d2b477fe254be02acae6e0/RP4_6268.jpg)
Five fleet races will ensue before the three top ranking teams proceed into the winner-takes-all showdown. Racing will take place in Christchurch between 3pm-4.30pm NZDT on Saturday and Sunday.
![Season 4 // Overhead view of Christchurch tech base during event set up](http://images.ctfassets.net/2lppn7hwgzta/5oynF5XDiC1yBiHUPe5bRc/e6107ebc3469c70963434567bca72f63/RP4_6220.jpg)
It comes as Kiwi driver Peter Burling returns to the wheel of the New Zealand F50 after missing Sydney for the birth of his child.
![Season 4 // Germany driver Erik Heil during interview in Christchurch Tech Base](http://images.ctfassets.net/2lppn7hwgzta/HRxH6B92T0wmsc6JgsJZ2/07d2d2f8dff4eb23171809cb8a861bcf/RP4_6398.jpg)
Tom Slingsby’s Australia meanwhile, the Kiwis’ biggest rivals, come to Christchurch fresh from securing their first Season 4 victory at home and sit comfortably at the top of the Championship leaderboard.
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch takes place on March 23-24.