This weekend, March 23 and 24, the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix at Lyttelton Harbor promises to go down in sailing history as the most attended sailing event ever. With more than 22,000 expected spectators tickets already sold, interest in the SailGP circuit has increased significantly. Unprecedented excitement follows a breathtaking debut in 2023, leading to a weekend full of memorable moments for athletes and spectators alike.
Peter Burling's New Zealand team, now operating under the new name Black Foils, are gearing up for a glorious homecoming following Tom Slingsby's Australian SailGP team's sensational last-minute win at the SailGP in Sydney last month. The rebranding marks an ambitious new chapter among these rivals.
Return of Peter Burling
Peter Burling has rejoined the New Zealand squad after two consecutive wins and a third-place finish in Sydney under substitute Nathan Outteridge. With victories in Dubai and Abu Dhabi still fresh from their minds, Burling are determined to continue their success with the support of an enthusiastic home base and the dynamism of a new team image.
“We're always going for a win and a hat-trick, it's going to be a great weekend and the wind forecast is better than last season,” Burling said.
The support of locals and a growing fan base gives the team an added boost.
“The support we have received from home since the start of SailGP has been incredible. “Kiwis love supporting us and growing our fan base – the atmosphere in the city is already great,”
Burling adds. With Burling back at the helm, the competition is expected to be fiercer than ever, especially after Bill Robertson won last year's inaugural event in Christchurch for the Canadian SailGB team.
ITM New Zealand SailGP Program
- Day One: Saturday, March 23, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM NZDT
- Day Two: Sunday, March 24, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM NZDT
SAILGP Season 4 Standings (After Eight Events)
- Australia 66 points
- New Zealand 58 points
- ROCKWOOL Denmark 52 points
- Spain 48 points
- France 45 points
- Emirates GPR 45 points
- USA 45 points
- Canada 38 points
- Germany 21 points
- Switzerland 17 points
About the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is part of the SailGP circuit, a global sailing competition in which teams from different countries compete against each other in a series of races. The Christchurch Regatta is renowned for its spectacular setting in Lyttelton Harbor where the world's best sailors battle it out for victory. It will be an unmissable event for all sailing fans around the world as this weekend is a chance for Team New Zealand to prove their mettle on their home waters.
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