Auckland to host January 2025 SailGP leg

Auckland will host a leg of SailGP for the first time in January 2025.

The previous two New Zealand legs have been held in Lyttelton, but following much-publicised issues, it was confirmed last month the event would not return there for a third edition.

Auckland was due to host a regatta in March last year, but it was moved south due to the unavailability of Wynyard Point land as a spectator facility.

Now, it's been announced Auckland will host the second leg of the 2024/25 season on January 18 and 19.

"We are thrilled to host SailGP in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, firmly securing New Zealand’s place in the 2025 global calendar," Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said.

"Auckland’s stunning Waitematā Harbour and waterfront will provide the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary series of events both on and off the water, just minutes from the city centre and vibrant Viaduct precinct."

New Zealand SailGP driver and co-CEO Peter Burling said the racing in Auckland would be an "awesome sight".

"The whole team is stoked to know we’ll be bringing Amokura to race in Auckland - there’s nothing like racing the F50 in front of a home crowd and hearing them cheer."

The opening day of racing at this year's event was cancelled due to "prolonged mammal activity" on the racecourse. Before racing had started, SailGP chief executive Sir Russell Coutts gave an explosive interview to 1News where he said it was unlikely to event would return to Christchurch because of a lack of flexibility in scheduling the event as well as pressure from "minority groups".

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