Has Christchurch lost SailGP?
SailGP chief executive Russell Coutts has announced the tour won’t return to Christchurch next year, due to minority interests making things too difficult.
On the eve of the much anticipated event in Lyttelton – which is expected to welcome 22,000 visitors , the yachting legend revealed he was looking at other New Zealand host cities for 2025 and beyond.
Speaking to TV1, Coutts said Lyttelton was a fantastic venue, but he lashed out at “a few minority groups that have a huge say in what happens”.
He didn’t specify the groups he had a problem with but highlighted issues faced with organising future events in Lyttelton.
“There have been a few entities that real- ly make life difficult for us so, for example, the only dates we can get here next year is February, and they’ve told us they can’t run the event in February. Interestingly they said if it was the end of February like the last day it might be ok, but not before.”
Just hours before Coutts’ comments were broadcast, Minister for Economic Development, Melissa Lee, celebrated a South Island venue hosting SailGP.
“The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is a world-class event that allows spectators to get up close and personal with some of the best sailing action right here in our own backyard. It’s clearly popular with the athletes too, who voted Christchurch the best venue on last year’s global series,” “... great to have such a high profile event take place in the South Island, helping to spread the benefits of major events across the country.”
Loren Aberhart, ChristchurchNZ’s general manager for tourism and destination, told The Press she didn’t believe a final decision on SailGP’s future had been made.
“SailGP have just released a holding statement to say that scheduling constantly changes. But ultimately its still a negotiation and there are loads of factors.
“Lyttelton for many reasons is the perfect host location for SailGP so its not a done deal and we look forward to continuing to have a conversation with SailGP.”
Speaking to TV1 on Friday evening, Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said he would move "heaven and earth" to keep the event in the city.
Despite work being done to protect native Hector’s Dolphins during the racing, conservationists had called for the event to move to the winter months to limit danger to the mammals.
Dolphin expert Professor Elisabeth Slooten said she was “delighted” to hear SailGP would not be returning.
“I am really pleased to hear that they are not going to do these races in Christchurch again because these dolphins are already having quite a hard time.”
“I love sailing,” she added, “so if it wasn’t for the fact that they are holding these races in a marine mammal sanctuary I would’ve probably gone to watch.”
Writing in The Press in January, environmental legal and policy consultant, Teall Crossen, said, “The Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary couldn’t stop the super-fast blades of SailGP’s catamarans slicing through Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour last year, risking certain death for upokohue/Hector’s dolphins. And it’s about to happen again.”
The Department of Conservation said the Hector’s Dolphin population in the waters around New Zealand is estimated to total 15,000 adults. The mammals are described as “nationally vulnerable”.
This year, SailGP revised its Marine Mammal Management Plan event to include increased observation efforts, an extension to the 5-knot shut down zone and the appointment of an independent entity to delay or pause the race if necessary.
“It’s an industry-leading example of SailGP’s commitment to the environments in which we operate,” SailGP managing director Andrew Thompson said.
It’s understood SailGP training was paused on Thursday due to dolphin sightings in the harbour.
Speaking in December, Sir Russell Coutts described Christchurch as “the perfect venue” for SailGP.
“Christchurch has proven to be one of our very best events to date,” he said, “with fantastic racing, thousands of fans and spectacular scenery in a natural amphitheatre. This is a perfect venue for the stadium-style, inner-harbour racing SailGP is known for around the world”
This weekend’s SailGP event will see the village opening at 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday, with races taking place between 3pm and 4.30pm.
Buses and shuttles are available for ticket holders as roads around Lyttleton will be closed from 12pm to 6pm.
More SailGP coverage here: Everything you need to know about SailGP.