SailGP NZ: Eight days remaining until SailGP Christchurch
by Natalie Fortier, NZSailGP 8 Mar 2023 20:51 PST
9 March 2023
New Zealand SailGP Team during a practice session ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia. Thursday February 16, 2023 © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
SailGP’s long-awaited New Zealand debut is just around the corner!
There are only eight days until Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour comes to life with the most exciting racing on water – and Te Nukutai o Tapoa, Naval Point is transformed into a thriving event village for thousands of cheering fans.
For those with tickets to the event, it will be important to plan ahead, arrive early and make use of free event shuttles and free public transport for all SailGP ticket holders during race weekend (18-19 March).
With access to Lyttelton restricted for most vehicles between 12pm and 6pm on race days and no public parking in town or on-site, shuttles will be the fastest, most reliable and most sustainable way for ticket holders to get to and from the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix. While branded taxis will be able to travel through closures, rideshare services such as Uber will not.
Event shuttles will depart from the free city centre live site – located between Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Cathedral Square. Shuttles will begin from 11.30am each day, running continuously from the live site. The last shuttle is at 2.15pm but fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere on-site and ensure they don’t miss a second of the action. The event village opens at midday and closes at 6pm. Return shuttles will begin from 4.30pm after racing finishes.
Traveling to the city centre live site?
SailGP ticket holders can access free travel on Metro bus and ferry services by simply showing your ticket to the driver. Public buses to Lyttelton will continue to operate over the event weekend but are expected to be very busy on both days. The Diamond Harbour Ferry will also operate with as few disruptions as possible.
Tracey Wilson, Acting General Manager - Destination & Attraction, ChristchurchNZ, said: “We are excited to partner with Environment Canterbury to offer SailGP ticket-holders free public transportation to the Live Site. And from the Live Site, ticket-holders will be transported to the event. This helps make it safe and sustainable for fans to get to the racing action.”
“The traffic management measures around the event have been designed to minimise the impacts on Lyttelton residents and the wider city as we welcome the exciting SailGP event to Christchurch”.
Karl Budge, Head of the New Zealand Event, SailGP said: “Thanks to our partners and stakeholders, the stage is set for a spectacular showcase on Whakaraupo, Lyttelton Harbour next weekend. It will be a busy and exciting few days on land, on water and in the community, and we’d encourage all of our ticket holders to plan their journeys well in advance, arrive early and use free event shuttles to get to and from the action each day.”
Keen to find out more? The following websites provide additional details on event transport, public transportation and traffic management during race weekend:
Getting to and from the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix (SailGP)
Public transport during the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix (Environment Canterbury)
Getting around during the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix (ChristchurchNZ)
If you missed out on tickets, the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Live Site, powered by Enable will be the place to be on race days, with big screen viewing, a range of activities for kids, food stalls and activations. Find out more about live site programming and hours here.
Racing will be broadcast live on Sky Sport NZ and free-to-air on Three and ThreeNow.
About the ITM NZ Sail Grand Prix: Otautahi, Christchurch is host city for the inaugural ITM 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.
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 Christchurch NZ: Christchurch NZ is the city’s sustainable economic development and city profile agency. Our purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic growth for a more prosperous Christchurch.
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