Breeze on forecast for NZL SailGP

SailGP returns to New Zealand for the ninth event on March 23-24, with racing from 15:00 NZDT (22:00 EDT, March 22-23), Here are five things to watch out for when racing gets underway in Christchurch:

Nathan Outteridge takes the wheel of Switzerland
In one of the most talked about twists of the season so far, former Japan driver Nathan Outteridge has been handed the wheel of the Switzerland F50 for the rest of the season while co-driver Sebastien Schneiter focuses on other commitments. After returning to the circuit to sub in and drive ROCKWOOL DEN and New Zealand respectively at the past two events, Outteridge said he is keen to build consistency in the Swiss team. Could a podium position lie ahead for the Swiss?

Can Canada triumph again in Christchurch?
It may be New Zealand’s home event, but Canada driver Phil Robertson, also a proud Kiwi, has thrown down the gauntlet and announced his ambition to defend the team’s Season 3 win. Could the team bounce back from Sydney’s technical issues to triumph in New Zealand again?

Peter Burling returns to New Zealand
New Zealand driver Peter Burling returns to the Kiwi F50 at home after missing Sydney’s event for the birth of his child. Burling has made clear his intention to win at home, but plenty of rivals stand in his way. Could Canada repeat its Season 3 triumph in New Zealand, or will Tom Slingsby’s Australia rise to the top of the fleet once again?

Will Australia best New Zealand at home?
Australia comes to New Zealand fresh from securing its first Season 4 win at home in Sydney. Will the momentum of that euphoric win carry the Aussies on to consecutive victories?

Windy conditions lie ahead
With a windy forecast, Christchurch promises the breeziest conditions of the season so far. Will the crews rise to the occasion and master the wind, or will the fresher conditions result in boat on boat situations and near misses?

SailGP information – Christchurch details– YouTube – How to watch

Season Standings (after eight of 13 events; results and total points)
1. Australia (Tom Slingsby), 2-3-2-2-3-2-7-1; 66 points
2. New Zealand (Peter Burling), 1-7-8-DNC/6-4-1-1-3; 58
3. Denmark (Nicolai Sehested), 4-2-4-7-2-6-9-2; 52
4. Spain (Diego Botin), 5-1-3-6-6-10-2-5; 48
5. France (Quintin Delapierre), 6-8-6-4-7-4-4-4; 45
6. Great Britain (Ben Ainslie/Giles Scott), 7-6-1-1-8-5-8-7; 45
7. United States (Jimmy Spithill/Taylor Canfield), 9-5-5-3-1-8-3-9; 45
8. Canada (Phil Robertson), 3-4-10-5-5-3-6-10; 37
9. Germany (Erik Heil), 10-10-7-8-9-10-9-5-6; 21
10. Switzerland (Sebastien Schneiter), 8-9-9-9-7-10-8; 17

Scoring adjustments:
• Canada SailGP Team: Docked four points in Season Championship for eight-point penalty at France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
• Germany SailGP Team: Docked two points in Season Championship for four-point penalty at Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix
• Spain SailGP Team: Docked two points in Season Championship for four-point penalty at Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía – Cádiz
• Switzerland SailGP Team: Docked four points in Season Championship for eight-point penalty at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council
• New Zealand SailGP Team: Granted six event points for ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix | Taranto as unable to compete due to wing damage suffered at France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez

Season 4 – 2023
June 16-17 – United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier
July 22-23 – United States Sail Grand Prix | Los Angeles
September 9-10 – France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
September 23-24 – Italy Sail Grand Prix | Taranto
October 14-15 – Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía- Cádiz
December 9-10 – Dubai Sail Grand Prix | Dubai*

Season 4 – 2024
January 13-14 – Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix | Abu Dhabi
February 24-25 – Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney
March 23-24 – New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland
March 23-24 – New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch
May 4-5 – Bermuda Sail Grand Prix
June 1-2 – Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax
June 22-23 – United States Sail Grand Prix | New York
July 13-14 – SailGP Season 4 Grand Final | San Francisco
* Added October 3, 2023

Format for Season 4:
• Teams compete in identical F50 catamarans.
• Each event runs across two days.
• Up to seven qualifying fleet races of approximately 15 minutes may be scheduled for each regatta.
• The top three teams from qualifying advance to a final race to be crowned event champion and earn the largest share of the $300,000.00 USD event prize money purse (increases to $400k for Abu Dhabi with the winning team now earning $200k at each event).
• The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race for the top three teams in the season standing with the winner claiming the $2 million USD prize.
• The top team on points ahead of the three-boat Championship Final will be awarded $350,000.00.

For competition documents, click here.

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing among national teams in some of the iconic harbors around the globe.

Source: SailGP