SailGP has withdrawn from hosting next season's New Zealand leg in Christchurch after hosting the event there for the past two years.
ChristchurchNZ said it accepted SailGP’s decision to withdraw from hosting the event as the original agreement meant for Christchurch to host two events over a four-year period, while alternating with Auckland.
Auckland was unable to host the event this year due to the unavailability of spectator facilities at Wynyard Point.
The announcement follows a blistering interview SailGP's chief executive Sir Russell Coutt's had with 1News during the event in Christchurch earlier this year.
Sir Russell told 1News he believed the event would not return to Christchurch because of the lack of flexibility in scheduling the event as well as pressure from "minority groups" making Lyttelton a non-viable option.
SailGP boss Sir Russell Coutts has followed through on his promise that his sailing spectacle wouldn't be returning. (Source: 1News)
He was also involved in a spat with Otago University professor Liz Slooten over the status of Hector's dolphin.
The opening day of racing at this year's event was cancelled due to "prolonged mammal activity" on the racecourse.
The Department of Conservation had previously said it wanted to avoid the possibility of Hector's dolphins appearing on the racecourse and the potential for a collision between a dolphin and one of the sharp foils on the very fast but quiet boats.
Lyttelton Harbour was the venue for the 2023 and 2024 events.
The yachting legend, and SailGP chief executive, said a lack of flexibility and well as pressure from advocacy groups had made Lyttelton a non-viable option. (Source: 1News)
ChristchurchNZ chief executive Ali Adams said Christchurch’s hosting of the New Zealand SailGP has been a massive success.
“Our major motivation for hosting the event was to showcase what a vibrant, world-class venue our city has become for major events.
“Given that the season four New Zealand Sail Grand Prix was the world’s largest-ever ticketed sailing event that goal has been well and truly met.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited head of major events Michelle Hooper said conversations over hosting future rounds of SailGP in the city were ongoing.
SailGP said an announcement on the 2025 schedule would be announced "imminently".
"This includes an expanded event calendar, with exciting new and return venues and a minimum 13-event schedule. At this stage, it is too early to confirm specific venues beyond those cities already announced, which include a return to Abu Dhabi and New York and the first-ever SailGP event in Geneva, Switzerland."
SHARE ME