Everything you need to know ahead of Sail GP at Lyttelton
Sail Grand Prix’s New Zealand leg is set to light up Lyttelton Harbour for the second year in a row – this weekend. A record breaking crowd is expected – 22,000 spectators over two days – making it the world’s largest ticketed sailing event. Limited tickets are still available.
SailGP is billed as the world’s most exciting race on water, with 10 teams racing head to head in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans that can reach speeds of almost 100kph.
Lyttelton Harbour is considered one of the best venues in the world. Competitors voted Christchurch the best location of the 2023 racing calendar.
The bare details
WHAT: The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix.
WHEN: Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24. The race village opens from 11.30am and the racing will happen from 3pm to 4.30pm.
WHERE: The Sail GP Christchurch Race Stadium is located at Naval Point, Lyttelton.
WHO: New Zealand Sail GP team, featuring Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, facing off against nine other teams from around the world.
Transport
SHUTTLES: Official event shuttles will leave from outside Te Pae on Oxford Tce. The first shuttle to the race village leaves at 11am, and return shuttles depart the venue from 4.30pm. These are free for all ticket holders and can be booked online.
There will also be a “Lyttelton Loop” shuttle that will drop people off outside Lyttelton Primary School on Oxford St so event goers can enjoy Lyttelton township before or after the races.
PUBLIC BUSES: The number 8 bus to Lyttelton will run as usual, and is available for all residents, however, it is expected to be very busy. All Metro buses and ferries will be free for ticket holders.
CARS: Roads in and around Lyttelton will be closed between 12pm and 6pm on race days. During this time, only emergency services, official event vehicles (buses and shuttles), taxis and vehicles with a clearly-displayed pass will be able to access Lyttelton via Tunnel Rd.
Sumner and Governors Bay roads will be operating under a one-way system, running out of Lyttelton. Vehicles can leave Lyttelton at any time.
TAXIS & RIDESHARES: Branded taxis will be able to travel through the road closures but rideshare services such as Uber will not.
FERRIES: SailGP will affect the Diamond Harbour ferry service. On Friday, March 22, the last ferry will leave Lyttelton at 12.50pm, and Diamond Harbour at 1.02pm. The ferry will resume from 5.45pm. On Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24, the last ferry will depart Lyttelton at 1.20pm, Diamond Harbour at 1.32pm. Buses will replace cancelled sailings.
CYCLISTS: Those on two wheels will not be affected by the road closures.
BOATS: Arguably the best view in the house will be from the water. Those fortunate enough to own a boat can purchase a BYOB (Bring your own boat) flag to watch from the edge of the race course. Boats without a flag can watch from outside the exclusion zone.
PUBLIC VIEWING: If you’d rather watch the action on the big screen, Riverside Cantina in central Christchurch will host a race watch party from 2pm both days, as will Albion Square in Lyttelton.