Swiss SailGP Team storming starts on Super Sunday at NZ Sail Grand Prix

by Switzerland SailGP Team 24 Mar 10:57 UTC 23-24 March 2024

The fleet in action led bay Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson and Switzerland SailGP Team helmed by Nathan Outteridge on Race Day 2 of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, New Zealand © Chloe Knott for SailGP

There was no racing on day one but plenty of action on day two, Super Sunday, at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix. Collisions, penalties and high-speed boat on boat action entertained over 10,000 spectators watching on shore today, in one of the most drama fuelled race days of the season so far.

Switzerland SailGP Team, led by new driver Nathan Outteridge, offered plenty of excitement and big moments during the afternoon. Despite limited sailing time heading into the race weekend the team were powered up and fully charged. All three starts were highlights of the day, along with leading the fleet in the sprints to the top mark. On the downside, the Swiss paid the price for their biggest weakness; struggling with boat handling at times in the gusty and shifty conditions.

Consistent seven place finishes across the three fleet races leave the team sixth overall, it's highest position of the season so far.

Switzerland SailGP Team helmed by Nathan Outteridge in action during a practice session ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, New Zealand - photo © Chloe Knott for SailGP

The most dramatic moment of the day happened early in race one when Tom Slingby's Australia SailGP Team had a collision with a course mark. The damage forced the Australians to retire from racing and they were docked 12 event points, along with 8 season points.

New Zealand's Black Foils, led by Pete Burling, took the event win and enjoyed double celebrations on home waters; the Kiwis now overtake Aussies as overall Season 4 leaders.

Only one day of racing took place in Christchurch this weekend. Racing was cancelled on the opening day due to mammal activity on the racecourse for the duration of the race window.

Switzerland SailGP Team helmed by Nathan Outteridge in action during a practice session ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, New Zealand - photo © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Outteridge said: "It's been an interesting weekend here in Christchurch! Yesterday we didn't get any racing in as unfortunately the dolphins prevented us from getting going. I think we all slept a bit strange last night knowing that it was all going to come down to today. Then today was an action-packed day, it was breeze on, we were on the light air boards and well out of range, so the boats were super hard to sail."

"We had some cracking starts and the team sailed really well. But the level of our boat handling really showed today, that we just weren't quite at the level to really race at the front of the fleet, so we slowly slipped back. A few mistakes on my behalf in terms of tactics and strategy round the course - and a couple of penalties - didn't help either, so was a little frustrating from that side too. But sixth overall is a great result. We didn't crash into anything, we don't have any event or season penalty points and today built confidence within the team. So, we look ahead now on how to improve and move forward into our next event together in Bermuda."

Wing Trimmer Will Ryan said: "Today really was super Sunday here, Christchurch definitely turned it on. It was a full experience for all of us onboard and our first-time racing with Nathan as a driver, which was fantastic. For me, after watching Nathan all these years when growing up it was amazing to finally get to sail with him. As a group we did really well, we had some great starts, and a lot of good moments but understandably, as a new team, we've still got things to improve on.

"There's been some great intel and data to come out of this weekend and we are looking forward to having another chance to step forward. I only wish it was next weekend instead of having to wait until Bermuda!"

With over 22,000 thousand fans in attendance over the weekend, the ITM New Zealand Grand Prix was the largest ever ticketed individual sailing event. The league now moves to the tenth stop of the season - the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix - May 5-6.

Switzerland SailGP Team crew line up:

Nathan Outteridge - Driver
Will Ryan - Wing trimmer
Nicolas Rolaz - Flight controller
Laurane Mettraux - Strategist
Julien Rolaz - Grinder (G1)
Eliot Merceron - Grinder (G1)
Jérémy Bachelin - Grinder (G2)

ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch Results

Event penalties

??Emirates Great Britain penalized eight points for making contact with Switzerland SailGP Team during practice racing
Australia SailGP Team penalized 12 points for making contact causing boat damage with racecourse mark during Fleet Race 1
ROCKWOOL Denmark penalized eight points for making contact with Canada SailGP Team during Fleet Race 1

SailGP Season 4 overall leaderboard