Recap: Day two of SailGP, Christchurch

Sunday, 24 March 2024

The fastest race on water comes to our shores again. Here's all you need to know about SailGP in Lyttelton.

SailGP: Event nine; Where: Lyttelton Harbour, Christchurch; When: Saturday and Sunday at 3pm; Live coverage: Three and ThreeNow.

Christchurch hosts New Zealand’s second SailGP regatta when Peter Burling returns from paternity leave to steer their Amokura boat around Lyttelton Harbour.

Racing is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 3pm when 10 teams compete in the high-tech F50 foiling catamarans that can hit top speeds of almost 100kph.

Christchurch was a late replacement for Auckland as the host city and is the ninth leg of the season ahead of the finale in San Francisco in July.

There are also events to come in Bermuda, Halifax and New York.

In San Francisco, the three teams at the top of the leaderboard will compete in the match race to decide the whole championship.

The Australia and New Zealand boats ahead of racing at the SailGP in Christchurch on Saturday.

SailGP’s events mean a pause for many sailors in their America’s Cup preparations. They crossover between the two competitions until the Cup resumes in Barcelona in August.

Here’s all you need to know about the Christchurch regatta taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

Who is racing?

New Zealand are among the 10 teams in the elite sailing series that was founded in 2019. Their best finish was second last season.

The other teams are Australia, who have been winners in its three editions, the United States, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain, France, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

Peter Burling has returned to drive for Christchurch (FILE PHOTO).

SailGP leaderboard after eight events (points): Australia 68, New Zealand 58, Denmark 52, Spain 48, France 45, Great Britain 45, United States 45, Canada 38, Germany 21, Switzerland 17.

Which teams are in form?

Australia, led by champion sailor Tom Slingsby, won their first regatta in their eighth attempt in Sydney after sitting atop the leaderboard for most of the season.

New Zealand have the most event wins, with three, but are second to the Aussies and trail by 10 points after finishing third behind Denmark and Australia in Sydney’s match race.

The Danes, who have never won an event, are third overall but followed closely by Spain, France, Great Britain and the United States in a congested chasing pack.

What’s the format?

Australia won the last SailGP regatta in Sydney in February.

It’s simple. There are three fleet races on Saturday and two more on Sunday, then the three leading boats contest the match race final.

Teams collect points based on their finish in each race. For example, first place is awarded 10 and 10th place is awarded one.

Who is in New Zealand’s crew?

Lyttelton Harbour hosts the SailGP in Christchurch.

Burling is back for New Zealand in their home event, replacing their interim helmsman for last month’s Sydney regatta, his Team New Zealand and America’s Cup team-mate Nathan Outteridge.

He rejoins celebrated sailing partner Blair Tuke, their other chief executive and the boat’s wing trimmer.

Aboard as grinders are Louis Sinclair and Marcus Hansen, with Andy Maloney as flight controller and Josh Junior in a new on-shore coaching role. The strategists are Jo Aleh, Erica Dawson and Liv Mackay.

How do you watch?

If you can’t make it to Lyttelton Harbour, race days are live on Three and Three Now’s streaming service on Saturday and Sunday. Sailing is due to start at 3pm.

What’s the weather forecast?

Christchurch is poised for a fine Saturday but with a chance of showers in the evening. Winds are light but could approach 15 knots. Sunday is also expected to be fine on Sunday with lower winds.