SailGP announces ITM as title partner for Auckland and Christchurch events

Australia SailGP Team and New Zealand SailGP Team in action on Race Day 1 of the Dubai Sail Grand Prix - November 12, 2022 © Ricardo Pinto/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 March 18-19, 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 says, “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 Jan 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.

About SailGP 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.

About NZ SailGP Otautahi, Christchurch is host city for the inaugural New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, setting sail on Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour 18-19 March 2023. Connected to New Zealand’s second largest city by tunnel and hill passes, Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour is the southern edge of a great extinct volcano that created Banks Peninsula. Te Hapu o Ngati Wheke Rapaki hold guardianship over the harbour and have worked closely with SailGP to bring the event to life. The 10th event on the Season 3 calendar, the New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is the last event before the Season Grand Final in San Francisco. Find out more at SailGP.com/NewZealand.