SailGP: "Powered by Nature" stopped by nature - Hector dolphins prevent race starts

More than 20,000 spectators on land and on the water had to miss out on their hoped-for SailGP racing fun on Saturday in Christchurch, New Zealand. At least one Hector dolphin was on the course where the F50 catamarans were due to start. At 1.20 to 1.50 metres in length, the smallest and rarest dolphins, which can only be found in New Zealand waters, are protected in the "Land of the Long White Cloud". The SailGP organisers on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island also adhered to this rule this weekend.

SailGP in New Zealand: Race day one cancelled

The SailGP protocol stipulates that races will be interrupted if a dolphin is sighted near the race course. They will not be resumed until at least 20 minutes have passed since the animal was last seen within the exclusion zone. SailGP Managing Director Andy Thompson described the cancellation as "a tough day for the league and our super passionate Kiwi fans".

Lyttelton Harbour is part of the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary. This area is home to a number of internationally endangered marine mammal species including Hector's dolphins. The SailGP organisers are keen to minimise the risk to the marine environment. To this end, the League has worked with local authorities and experts to develop comprehensive protocols to avoid contact with wildlife and ensure their protection.

Andy Thompson joins the teams and fans in hoping for better luck on Sunday: "The athletes were ready to go today, the conditions were epic and we were looking forward to some really fast racing. The conditions look really great for tomorrow. So hopefully the F50s will be out there and we can send the fans home super happy." More wind is expected for Sunday. Three races and the final are scheduled.

To Auckland in the fifth SailGP season?

"It was actually fantastic conditions out there, around twelve to 13 knots of wind. The cancellation of the race is of course a real shame, but I think it's good that the SailGP shows consideration for the environment and nature, that we don't put ourselves above the environment," said Erik Heil in Lyttelton harbour.

The helmsman of Sebastian Vettel's racing team Germany SailGP Team had to return to the harbour with his crew, as did the other nine SailGP teams, after around 90 minutes of waiting on the water without having achieved anything. Race day one ended without a result. According to Heil, his team used the waiting time for strategic preparation for "Super Sunday". According to Heil, this will now probably be a "Super Super Sunday" - if it can be sailed.

After this second visit to Christchurch, the SailGP is unlikely to return to Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour's dream spot. SailGP CEO Russell Coutts told New Zealand media before the weekend that Lyttelton Harbour was a great spot, but the situation was too difficult. Everything points to a return of the professional league to Auckland, the heartland of Emirates Team New Zealand, in the coming years.

Draconian punishment against the British

The British will remember this ninth of a total of 13 regattas in the fourth SailGP as a pitch-black event. The team around helmsman and Finn Olympic champion Giles Scott, which is going through difficult times after the retirement of superstar Sir Ben Ainslie as helmsman, had to accept a harsh jury penalty as a result of a port-starboard incident and a near-collision with Spain during training. The team was deducted eight points for the regatta in New Zealand and four points for the season before the first starting signal.

Click here for the SailGP season ranking and the interim results after eight of 13 regattas.

Severely penalised for an excessively risky manoeuvre in practice - driver Giles Scott on the penalty points he received and the future prospects for his team: