After a four-year wait, this weekend will mark the arrival of sailing's hottest new innovation to NZ shores, as Sail GP touches down at Lyttelton Harbour.
Nine teams will compete across two days, with the local crew - led by America's Cup heroes Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - aiming to close the gap on rivals Australia atop the competition standings.
Tell me more, you say?
What is it?
Sail GP is an international match-racing series featuring teams from across the world competing in F50 foiling catamarans in a series of events.
The competition was founded two years ago by decorated Kiwi sailor Sir Russell Coutts and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who aimed to create sailing's answer to Formula One.
The competition began with six teams back in 2019 and has since expanded to 10, with New Zealand making their first appearance in 2021. They finished at the top of the standings in their debut season but were beaten by their trans-Tasman rivals in the grand final.
Australia are the reigning back-to-back champions, chasing a third straight this year.
Each event takes place across two days. Teams compete in six fleet races, with the top three advancing to a final.
Tell me about the boats
Each team races a one-design F50 foiling catamaran, capable of speeds over 100 km/h.
The boats are based on the AC50s that were employed during the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda but have undergone significant development to create a faster, smoother ride.
The foils have been constructed to ensure less resistance at high speeds and extended further beyond the hull.
Technical information is monitored by Oracle and shared between teams, making the competition less about technological oneupmanship and more about sailing skill.
How do the races work?
Three fleet races take place on day one, then three more plus the final on day two.
Points are awarded to each team related to their finishing position, with 10 points to the winner, nine points to second place etc.
The top three teams after the six fleet races advance to the final, where the winner is crowned event champion and earn 10 points towards the overall standings.
The three highest-ranked crews then compete in the season-ending Grand Final for the title and monetary prize of US$1m.
So, how is it different to the America's Cup?
Aside from the type of boat used, the fundamental principles of racing remain the same.
The main differentiating factor is that instead of being raced between two boats, all 10 of the teams are involved in each of the six fleet races.
The upwind-downwind courses are also shorter than those used in the America's Cup. Races last approximately 15 minutes each, making them more of a tactical sprint, meaning the starts are often electric affairs, as the swarm of boats jostle for advantage.
Who are the teams to watch in Christchurch?
Former America's Cup winner Tom Slingsby has led another dominant campaign for the Australians, as they chase a hat-trick of titles.
They're currently 12 points clear of second-placed New Zealand, who hold just a one point advantage over France in third.
The great Sir Ben Ainslie - skipper and team principal of British America's Cup syndicate - INEOS Team UK - is just one further point back at the helm of the Great Britain boat.
Australian Jimmy Spithill will also be in the mix as chief executive and helmsman of the United States team.
The NZ leg is the penultimate stop of the championship, making it the final chance for teams to force their way into the top three for the finale in San Francisco in May.
How can I watch SailGP?
All of day one's races will be live and free-to-air on Three and ThreeNow from 3pm, with delayed coverage of day two starting at 4:30pm.
Each day of racing will last approximately 90 minutes.
Join Newshub for live updates of NZ Sail Grand Prix from 3:30pm Saturday and Sunday
