The fleet led by Spain SailGP Team helmed by Diego Botin ahead of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Switzerland SailGP Team and Red Bull Italy SailGP Team start racing in front of the city skyline on Race Day 1 of The Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 18 January 2025. Photo: Bob Martin for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP Photo: Bob Martin for SailGP
A sailing expert wants SailGP to become a long-term fixture in Auckland.
The two-day event at at Waitematā Harbour this past weekend was the third year of New Zealand's four-year SailGP regatta hosting commitment.
AUT sport and recreation professor Dr Mark Orams said the large crowds that turned out showed the growing popularity of sailing.
"I'm positive about the future. This weekend has shown Auckland can host an amazing on-water event and leverage all the benefits from that."
"If it becomes a regular fixture that everybody knows about in advance and can plan for, people overseas can travel down to Auckland for a New Zealand summer and piggyback off tours around the South Island.
"Superyachts will come down to do their refit and watch the event, and they'll do the Millennium Cup and go over the Tasman and watch the Sydney event.
He said while Sir Russell Coutts had expressed enthusiasm about keeping SailGP in the city long-term, it would come down to whether it was financially worthwhile for the competition.
