ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix comes to Lyttelton
All roads lead to Lyttelton for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, which, at the time of publishing, is just six weeks away.
The 10th event on the Season 3 calendar, Christchurch is the last stop before the Season Grand Finale in San Francisco.
New Zealand defied the odds, bouncing back from a penalty, to win the Singapore Sail Grand Prix last month, and is now heading for Sydney Harbour for more racing in February.
In just a few short weeks, racing fans will be able to catch Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and their New Zealand SailGP Team as they show off this new format of live action sailing for the first time in New Zealand.
Lyttelton’s Naval Point is being transformed into a vibrant event village, with a technical area for visiting teams and operations. Unique on the SailGP circuit, fan areas and team operations will all be on one site in Lyttelton – meaning ticketholders will be able to watch the stars up close and personal, and experience the size and scale of SailGP just metres from the grandstand.
The Naval Point public boat ramp will be closed in the week leading up to and during the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix. The ramp near Stark’s Engineering will also be closed and parking at other ramps in the area will be extremely limited. As such, only those with pre-arranged access to the water should plan to watch from their own boat. All others should head to the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix live site, presented by Enable, an action packed fan zone in the heart of the city, opposite Te Pae.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Access to Lyttelton will be limited. Road closures and restrictions will take effect around noon Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March, and be lifted around 6pm each day. Roads will be closed from Sumner and Governors Bay, and at Tunnel Road off the Port Hills Road. Parking in Lyttelton will be extremely limited.
CENTRAL CITY ZONE
People without tickets will be able to watch the racing in Christchurch city centre, from an action-packed live site on the grassy area in front of Te Pae on both race days. The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Live Site, presented by Enable will include live racing on the big screen, food, beverage and entertainment. “All are welcome at this live site – it’s the place to be for super fans, first timers, and families alike,” says event head, Karl Budge.
LEADING SPONSOR
The inaugural New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, SailGP has formed a strong multi-year, national partnership with iconic Kiwi brand ITM.
The building supply company is the Title Partner of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, as well as the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland in 2024.
Well-known in the Kiwi sporting circuit, ITM joins a suite of established partners behind both events, demonstrating the commercial growth of SailGP in New Zealand and around the world, and the pinnacle status of the event itself – already a sell-out success in its first-ever iteration.
Karl Budge, chief commercial officer and head of the New Zealand event says they’re delighted to make their New Zealand debut on Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour in March, and grateful for the support of ITM over upcoming seasons.
18-19 MARCH
Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour will come to life with the inaugural ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch – a two day spectacle of thrilling racing, intense rivalries and boat-on-boat action just metres from the shoreline.
Thousands will experience the action, watch the drama, and be part of SailGP’s long-awaited New Zealand debut, taking place in front of sold-out crowds at Lyttelton’s newly transformed Naval Point.
If you’ve managed to secure tickets to the event, the best way to get to Lyttelton will be via official event shuttles, built into the ticket cost. Buses will leave from, and return to, Te Pae on both race days. Road closures will be in place from noon to 6PM each day and there will be no public parking in Lyttelton, so patrons are encouraged to plan ahead, get to the shuttles early and take advantage of this free service.
Visit christchurchnz.com/sailgp.nz
