'Hurry up and Wait' for NZSailGP Team Rockwool Denmark Sail Grand Prix Copenhagen

New Zealand SailGP Team Switzerland SailGP Team, Canada SailGP Team and Australia SailGP Team in action during a practice session ahead of the Rockwool Denmark Sail Grand Prix, Copengahen © Bob Martin/SailGP

The Rockwool Denmark Sail Grand Prix is off to a slow start, with racing abandoned on day one due to light conditions on the diameterresund Srait in Copenhagen.

Commenting on the tricky nature of light-air racing, Flight Controller Andy Maloney says, "Days like today make for extremely challenging conditions."

"We have quite a few changes we can make to try to get the most out of the boat, including using the bigger [29-metre] wing, larger foils and sailing in a four-up configuration where the grinders step off the boat and our strategist moves into that position to try to lighten the overall weight," he said.

But despite pulling out all of the stops, it wasn't to be - with wet and stormy conditions dooming all crews' chances of making it to the start line, let alone getting on the foils.

While winds have been light, there has still been plenty of action in Copenhagen this week so far. Yesterday, Great Britain became the third crew to hit uncharted rocks in training, sustaining significant damage to their F50 which forced an early exit from this weekend's competition. The two other teams - Spain and Denmark - were fortunately able to make repairs in time.

Racing returns tomorrow at 1530 CEST / 0130 NZT and with a shortened format and fewer crews on the starting line, anything could happen. Kiwis can catch all the action live on Sky Sport NZ and live and on-demand on YouTube.

Better winds are forecast for the final day - the format of the racing will be three races, with all teams sailing and no Final.

SailGP Season 3 Schedule:

2022

• May 14-15 Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess
• June 18-19 T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier
• July 30-31 Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Plymouth
• Aug 19-20 ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix | Copenhagen
• Sep 10-11 France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez
• Sep 24-25 Spain Sail Grand Prix | Andalucía - Cádiz
• Nov 12-13 Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas

2023

• Jan 14-15 Singapore Sail Grand Prix
• Feb 18-19 KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney
• Mar 18-19 New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch
• May 6-7 United States Sail Grand Prix | San Francisco (season final)

SailGP is the world's most exciting racing on water. The global championship features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe. The high-tech, high-speed action features sailing's best athletes racing in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds approaching 100 km/h. SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Visit SailGP.com for more information.

The New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will be hosted in the vibrant city of Otautahi, Christchurch. Racing takes place in the spectacular Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour 18-19 March 2023, on the side of an ancient volcano under the guardianship of Te Hapu o Ngati Wheke Rapaki. The 10th event on the Season 3 calendar, the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is the last event before the Season Grand Finale in San Francisco.

Tickets go on sale for 4 October 2022 at 9AM sharp.

Find out more and register for pre-sale access at www.sailgp.com/newzealand