Newshub has been given a glimpse into a blueprint that'll put Christchurch and Lyttelton on the Sail GP map.
After a COVID-19 false start, New Zealand will host its first event in March next year, as the enormity of the task at hand builds.
Come March, Lyttelton locals will be treated to seeing some of sailing's best on their doorstep, like Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling reaching speeds of almost 100 km/h.
"[It's] nice to see it now starting to come to life," NZ Sail GP chief commercial officer Karl Budge told Newshub. "There's been a lot of work getting to this point."
A COVID-19 enforced slumber cancelled the 2022 event, but next year will see the event finally hit Canterbury waters.
"We take the responsibility of being the first big event to return to Christchurch pretty seriously," Budge added. "We've got a hell of a job to deliver on."
A race village, shoreline villas and a platinum lawn are all part of the plan to put Lyttelton on the international map.
"We couldn't be more excited around showing a new sailing venue to the world."
And it's projected there'll be a whopping $27 million boost for the local economy.
But it'll be a different kind of buzz compared to the America's Cup held in Auckland at the start of 2021.
"It's a completely different format," said Budge. "Not only will we be showing a new era to the world, [we're] also showing a new style of sport to New Zealanders too."
A sport we're more likely to enjoy if the Kiwis cross the line first in March.
