Leaving a legacy: ChristchurchNZ
The world’s most exciting racing on water is nearly here, and with the start line in sight, Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour is soon to come alive as the best sailors in the world take to the water.
Whether you are a sailing fanatic or new to the sport, nothing beats backing Kiwi athletes in a global championship, and it will be better than ever on home waters during The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch.
SailGP brings so much more than on-the-water thrills to Christchurch. Since its inception, purpose has been at the core of everything SailGP does. Advocating for a cleaner planet, creating a fair and equitable sport, and providing opportunites to educate young people are just some of the focus areas of the work that happens off the water at SailGP. Here are a few of the exciting legacy projects planned for Ōtautahi Christchurch…
Purpose project
In every city it visits, SailGP teams up with a local community purpose project. Projects focus on areas including clean energy impact, along with wider environmental issues. In Christchurch, a chosen project is the Ōmaru Stream Restoration Project. Led by Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki, the project aims to restore the forests surrounding Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour by restoring vegetation, reducing pests, and enabling biodiversity to flourish and reducing sediment running into the harbour – SailGP’s racetrack for the inaugural New Zealand event.
Inspire programme
SailGP’s nine international racing teams are pairing-up with local yacht clubs as part of the event’s “Adopt a Club” Inspire programme. The programme sees SailGP teams engage young, aspiring sailors and the local sailing community with activations surrounding sustainability. Selected schools within the area will also have the opportunity to participate in the Inspire Learning Programme. Students will gain first-hand knowledge in a series of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based learning activities and challenges, centred around the sport of sailing.
If you missed out on tickets to The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, the best place to catch all the live action racing is from The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Live Site, powered by Enable. The live site is a family-friendly space with a range of activities, exclusive competitions, food and beverage stalls and most importantly, a big screen to watch the action up close.
Where: Located at The Green between Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Cathedral Square.
When: Catch the live-streamed racing between 3 – 5pm across Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 March.
For all things SailGP, including more of the legacy outcomes for Christchurch and info on the live site, visit
www.christchurchnz.com/sailgp
