Photo: Donato Fasano / Getty ImagesThe SailGP round in Lyttelton this summer won't go ahead after the competition failed to gain MIQ facilities for the teams. SailGP says their application to access MIQ facilities for teams and staff to enter Christchurch ahead of the planned round in late January was declined by the New Zealand Government. SailGP involves national teams in 50-foot foiling catamarans, similar to those used in the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda. "The request for access submitted by SailGP included the eight national teams competing in the global sports championship as well as the minimum number of specialist personnel required to successfully deliver the event," SailGP said in a statement. The next event in the nine round series is in Denmark this weekend with the New Zealand team, headed by Peter Burling, in eighth and last place.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 16, 2021 00:11 UTC