New radio/social media commentary for SailGP is launched, starts today

New Zealand SailGP Team leads USA SailGP Team during a practice session ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, March 22, 2024 © Felix Diemer/SailGP

A new commentary, on social media, is being trialled for SailGP Christchurch - hosted by Jody Shiels the most entertaining commentator in Sailing.

Jody will be assisted by top matching sailor Chris Steele, who worked with Peter Montgomery on the NewstalkZB radio coverage of the 2021 Prada and America's Cups. They will be joined by Anna Willcox, a Winter Olympian, from a top New Zealand sailing family, and a sports media professional who was part of the commentary team for the 2019 49er and 49erFX Sailing World Championship in Auckland.

Shiels and Steele are waterside in Christchurch, NZ, and able to comment on the off-camera action.

New Zealand SailGP Team ahead of Denmark SailGP Team during a practice session ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, March 22, 2024 - photo © Brett Phibbs/SailGP

Shiels is the Denizen-in-Chief of the social media sailing commentary Bangin' the Corners (also available on Facebook), and his trademark Jodyisms. He was formerly a commentator on SailGP TV broadcast, before the decision was made to work with a broadcast team based in England.

Shiels issued the announcement via social media and on Bangin' the Corners:

I’m am so excited to announce the launch of "SailGP On The Lock," an independent “pirate” radio show giving a complete new refreshing take on SailGP commentary that's as lively as three mates watching the races live at the pub!"

Australia SailGP Team USA SailGP Team and Denmark SailGP Team during a practice session ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, March 22, 2024 - photo © Felix Diemer/SailGP

The show will be hosted by myself and Chris Steele, giving a sailor's perspective of the racing, and we are joined by seasoned sport reporter and Olympian Anna Wilcox (its Anna’s job to keep us in line ).

Our show will kick off for this weekend’s New Zealand event, covering both race days. We believe that On The Lock will fill a gap for sailing fans offering an authentic and relatable commentary experience with insider knowledge that's unlike anything else out there currently. We will being using real sailing terminology (yes we will be using knots ) and hopefully providing you the Fan with a pure sailing based commentary that will also have a fun element sprinkled throughout .it will be Raw , it will be fun, but most of all it will be just sailors talking about sailing …what could possibly go wrong hey?

Germany SailGP Team during a practice session ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, March 22, 2024 - photo © Chloe Knott/SailGP

We also have some brand new social media for you to follow : Facebook – Sailgp on the lock And Instagram sailgp _on _the _lock

Fans will be able to tune in via this link which will go live at 3:00 pm NZDT (0200 UTC) this Saturday and Sunday: onthelock.radioca.st/stream

The link will be live during the broadcast window but will also be available (off our social media page etc )for your listening pleasure when ever you like.

So the idea is turn on your TV, turn down the volume and crank up the link for SailGP on the Lock.