The SailGP F50 catamaran fleet in action on Lyttelton Harbour 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A Christchurch councillor says the city is a better choice than Auckland to host SailGP as it is announced the garden city will take over the New Zealand leg of the race.
Lyttelton Harbour was confirmed on Wednesday morning by the Sail Grand Prix that it would be hosting the international race in March next year.
Auckland was meant to play host to the racing, but the unavailability of a spectator facility changed the plans for the competition.
Christchurch has hosted the event in the past, and next year's race will take place on 23 and 24 March.
Mayor Phil Mauger said it would be fantastic to welcome the competition back.
"This just proves that Christchurch is increasingly seen as the sports and events capital of New Zealand. This year's event was brilliant, and it was great that Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour was seen around the world in all its glory.
"It's fantastic, there's a lot of excitement in Christchurch," councillor for Banks Peninsula Tyrone Fields told Morning Report.
"I think people have been anticipating it's going to happen and I think we're ready for it."
Sail GP global chief executive Sir Russell Coutts said Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour was the perfect venue for the stadium-style, inner-harbour racing.
Grandstand seating will go up and fans will be able to buy behind-the-scenes tours of the team bases and technical areas.
Fields said it was the right choice over the city of sails.
"On the face of it we've got a better location, we've got a better stadium, a better amphitheatre.
"When you're down there watching it, you're really really close to what's happening. You could throw a stone and land it on some of those boats, it's that close.
"We've got the wind as well," Fields said.
The councillor hoped it would mean the world would get a chance to experience the wonderful people and scenes of Christchurch, Lyttleton, and Banks Pensinsula.
"We really love having people visit us from all over the country and the world," he said.