New Zealand to host Sail GP for four years

New Zealand is back on the calendar for the Sail GP series after a four-year deal was confirmed for events on Aotearoa waters.

Organisers announced on Wednesday they would be alternating between Lyttleton and Auckland over the next four seasons of the global foiling catamaran league.

The news came several months after an event scheduled to be held in Lyttleton in January next year had to be cancelled because the series was unable to secure MIQ exemptions for visiting crews.

Sail GP head of New Zealand events Karl Budge said they were always optimistic they could get the country back on the schedule, but admitted it wasn’t a sure thing.

“There was the best part of 145 cities that wanted to host an event in season three.

“We’re seeing incredible growth for the league so it was always going to be a very competitive process but just delighted we’ve been able to pull this off.

“With four years it gives us a real opportunity to grow this into a real postcard event for the league, and for New Zealand as well.”

A date for Sail GP’s New Zealand debut in Lyttleton in season three wouldn’t be known until the full seasons calendar was locked in in the coming weeks.

However, Budge confirmed it would be a summer event, likely to fall between late January and early March of 2023.

Budge said, after Covid canned their original plans, the league’s new partnership with the government meant he was “very confident” the same wouldn’t happen in early 2023.

“It gives us an opportunity to have a bit more certainty in how we can plan.

“If we’re still in the worst case scenario of being in a Covid environment in 12 months time, at least we know there’s a pathway that we can work through that now.”

Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash said the partnership between, government, the New Zealand Sail GP Team ChristchurchNZ and Auckland Unlimited had been vital to getting the country onto the circuit again.

“I have approved government investment of up to $5.4 million over four years. MBIE, which administers the Major Events Fund, is now working through the investment agreement with Sail GP.

“The races will bring significant economic benefits and opportunities to celebrate our unique culture on the global stage. The stunning Whakaraupo Lyttelton Harbour in Ōtautahi Christchurch and the Hauraki Gulf in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will allow us to showcase the racing up-close, and are also a brilliant opportunity to promote our tourism industry.

“SailGP has a strong environmental focus and its emphasis on diversity and inclusivity through its Women’s Pathway Program align strongly with our priorities.”

The other host countries confirmed for season three so far were Bermuda, USA, UK, Denmark, France, Spain and Dubai.