The countdown to SailGP’s long-awaited Auckland debut has begun, with just one month to go until the league returns to New Zealand.

Florian Trittel, wing trimmer of Spain SailGP Team, looks ahead as Nicole van der Velden, strategist of Spain SailGP Team, runs across the Spain SailGP Team F50 catamaran, as Spain SailGP Team lead Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Canada NorthStar SailGP Team, New Zealand SailGP Team and Switzerland SailGP Team on Race Day 2 of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas in Dubai, UAE. Sunday 24 November 2024. Photo: Jon Buckle for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

The first SailGP event ever held in the City of Sails will take place on January 18/19, with France joining the 12-strong F50 fleet after sitting out the season opener in Dubai.

Quentin Delapierre’s team will take delivery of its new F50 ahead of the event and compete against the other 11 national teams across a two day racing format. 

Peter Burling’s Black Foils will be looking to defend their home event title after picking up the win at last season’s event in Christchurch.

However, the fleet will be grappling with major equipment changes as the T-Foils are rolled out fleet-wide for the first time. These high speed boards are likely to increase on-water speeds while making the F50s easier to sail and could result in faster and more furious action when racing gets underway. 

Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson leads France SailGP Team and Spain SailGP Team ahead of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, USA. Thursday 11th July 2024. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland marks the league’s third consecutive visit to New Zealand, though both previous events took place in Lyttelton Harbour near Christchurch on the country’s South Island.

Last season’s racing action saw the Kiwis triumph over France and Canada in the three-boat Final to the delight of home town fans. 

There are still ticket options available for fans wanting to watch the league’s action-packed entertainment in Auckland, from the shoreside option of the Waterfront Grandstand to the on-water Adrenaline Yachts programme.

But fans should act fast – Waterfront Premium, Bring Your Own Boat and Shoreline Villas tickets are already sold out.