Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 TOP

SailGP announces ITM as title partner of its New Zealand events in Christchurch and Auckland

by SailGP 7 Dec 2022 17:19 PST 18-19 March 2022
New Zealand SailGP Team helmed by Peter Burling and Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby sail past spectators at the Race Village as they cross the finish line on Race Day 2 of the ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix in Copenhagen, Denmark © Bob Martin for SailGP

With only 100 days to go until the inaugural New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, SailGP today announced a multi-year, national partnership with iconic Kiwi brand ITM.

The partnership will see the building supply company become the Title Partner of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch next 18-19 March, as well as the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland the following year.

Well-known in the Kiwi sporting circuit, ITM joins a suite of established partners behind next summer's event, demonstrating the commercial growth of SailGP in New Zealand and around the world, and the pinnacle status of the event itself - already a sell-out success in its first-ever iteration.

Karl Budge, chief commercial officer and head of the New Zealand event said: "We're delighted to make our New Zealand debut on Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour in just 100 days, and grateful for the support of ITM over upcoming seasons. It's fantastic for us to have an established, multi-year relationship with such a respected Kiwi company and we can't wait to bring the partnership to life this summer and beyond."

ITM, which operates 91 stores and 27 Frame and Truss plants nationally (12 of which are in the Canterbury region) are New Zealand's foremost building supply specialists, with an extensive history of sponsoring iconic Kiwi sporting events.

Chief Executive Darrin Hughes said: "We're proud to be behind the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix events in Christchurch in 2023, and Auckland in 2024. The SailGP team is delivering a world-class event on our doorstep, leading the way in sustainability, innovation, and sports entertainment. The passion and dedication of SailGP aligns with the ITM purpose and values of commitment to community."

The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch will unfold over two action-packed days of racing on Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour 18-19 March 2023. Then in Season 4, Auckland will stage the excitement as part of a multi-year hosting agreement between SailGP, ChristchurchNZ, Tataki Auckland Unlimited and New Zealand Major Events.

Budge concluded: "For us, it's about giving Kiwis more of the sport they love in a format they've never experienced before. Our long-term commitment to New Zealand gives us a unique opportunity to build a dedicated following and leave an enduring legacy in the host cities we visit. We're delighted to have ITM along with us on that journey."

With only two events to go before SailGP's New Zealand debut, racing fans can catch Peter Burling, Blair Tuke and their New Zealand SailGP Team at the Singapore Sail Grand Prix, 14-15 January 2023 and in Sydney on 18-19 February, 2023. New Zealand is currently second in the Season 3 leaderboard overall, just nine points behind frontrunners Australia.

Learn more at SailGP.com/NewZealand

Related Articles

Germany Deutsche Bank claim first SailGP event win
Race Day 2 of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank has entered the winners circle, claiming their first event victory at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in tricky, light conditions on the waters of Lake Geneva. Posted on 21 Sep
SailGP: Germany score first Event win - Day 2
The German crew led by Erik Heil sailed consistently, on a day where inconsistency was punished. Perhaps it was not surprising that in a nation known for its horology, that the time-clock should have played such a dominant role for the Final day of SailGP Switzerland. Posted on 21 Sep
SailGP: Australia on top in Geneva- Day 1
The Flying Roos (AUS) top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. The Flying Roos sit on top of the leaderboard, after the first day of racing in SailGP Switzerland. This was the first test of the new light air foils, and three races were sailed, all completed within the time limits. Posted on 21 Sep
BONDS Flying Roos in pole position in Geneva
Day 1 of Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The BONDS Flying Roos top the event leaderboard with 25 points after opening day in Geneva. All 12 international teams battled shifty, light conditions, with those able to stay up on the foils and nail the maneuvers finding themselves still in the hunt. Posted on 20 Sep
SailGP prepares for high-stakes Lake Geneva debut
A weekend of tactical, light-air racing on the horizon The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix begins tomorrow with a weekend of tactical, light-air racing on the horizon. All twelve national teams hit the water today, getting in essential practice laps in the only freshwater venue of the season. Posted on 19 Sep
SailGP: Artemis is the 13th team to join SailGP
ETNZ co-helmsman Nathan Outteridge to be the helmsman for new Swedish SailGP team. SailGP CEO Russell Coutts has announced that the Swedish team Artemis is the 13th team to join the SailGP League. The helmsman will be Nathan Outteridge, currently a co-helmsman with Emirates Team New Zealand. Posted on 19 Sep
SailGP: Brits win French event
Day 2 of the Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez has been cancelled due to forecast thunderstorms Day 2 of the Rockwool France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez has been cancelled due to forecast thunderstorms expected to impact the area during scheduled racing. Posted on 13 Sep
ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix Day 1
Fletcher flies high on turbulent first day Day one of the ROCKWOOL France Sail Grand Prix went the way of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team as they topped the event leaderboard after the first four fleet races of the weekend in Saint-Tropez. Posted on 12 Sep
SailGP: Brits top leaderboard after Day 1
A squirrely 15-18kts breeze opened up plenty of opportunity for aggressive tactics. Emirates GBR topped the SailGP France leaderboard after the first day of racing in Saint Tropez. The squirrely 15-18kt breeze was distorted by the surrounding high terrain, channeling the pressure and direction, caused some dramatic switching of places. Posted on 12 Sep
Riviera racing: SailGP set for Saint-Tropez return
As league confirms 2026 expansion team plans The Rolex SailGP Championship returns tomorrow - and France's famous "Mistral [wind] has turned up just in time," according to league CEO Sir Russell Coutts. Twelve national teams will hit the startline for the sold-out event. Posted on 11 Sep
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMAllen Sailing