Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

Emirates GBR race ready in New Zealand for the penultimate event of SailGP Season 3

by Emirates GBR SailGP Team 17 Mar 2023 13:11 GMT 18-19 March 2023
Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Ben Ainslie in action during a practice session ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia © David Gray for SailGP

As Sir Ben Ainslie and his Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team head to the penultimate event of the Season 3 Championship it's all to play for as the pressure ramps up to secure a spot in the San Francisco Season 3 Grand Final in May.

The team are currently in fourth place following the Sydney Sail Grand Prix last month, sitting only two points behind the French in third and three points from the Kiwi's in second. With the leader board leaving no room for error, we'll need to see the team tap into some British brute out on the Lyttelton Harbour waters this weekend to secure a place in the top three.

Emirates GBR will have new muscle on the grinding pedestal in New Zealand, with America's Cup athlete Ben Cornish (GBR) stepping in for grinder Matt Gotrel (GBR) who is recovering from a fractured sacrum bone following his overboard incident last time out in Sydney. British Olympic gold winning rower Gotrel, fondly known as Shrek, will miss his first ever SailGP event but is making a good recovery and aims to return for the Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco (May 6/7). Matt's mainstay on the grinding handles Neil Hunter retains his place in Christchurch alongside trimmer grinder Nick Hutton. The driver, strategist, wing trimmer, and flight controller roles are again filled by Ben Ainslie (GBR), Hannah Mills (GBR), Iain Jensen (AUS) and Luke Parkinson (GBR / AUS) with Hannah Diamond (GBR) completing the line-up as the reserve sailor.

Sir Ben Ainslie Driver & CEO, Emirates GBR said: "We are now at the business end of the season with Christchurch being the penultimate event, but our focus will remain the same, it's all about solid performances that qualifies the team in the top three for the winner takes all San Francisco final.

Ainslie commented on Gotrel missing the event: "Sydney was full-on racing with plenty of big moments on the racetrack, Shrek certainly took the biggest hit for the team, but he is healing well at home, and we look forward to getting him back on board in San Francisco. We are extremely fortunate as an organisation to be able to draw on a wealth of exceptional sailing talent like Ben Cornish to step in, we are ready to go racing!"

Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, recently declared its ambition to inspire three million young people to take action to protect nature, people, and the planet through the Protect Our Future climate digital education platform. From the moment they arrived In New Zealand, the team have been engaging in a wide array of purpose and environmental activities with young people across the Christchurch community.

Hannah Mills spent an afternoon inspiring pupils from Lyttelton Primary School on how to 'Protect Our Future' and take action against Climate Change by teaching a lesson on the importance of photosynthesis and plants, like seagrass, have on the Ocean. Hannah then went on to help Charteris Bay Yacht club's youth members plant over 100 trees at Orton Bradley Park, including planting one for her 5-month-old daughter Sienna who has fast become the team's most beloved mascot! Grinder, Neil Hunter then picked up the baton and joined the club for its charity fundraiser where the proceeds went to purchasing new RS Feva boats for the aspiring young members.

British fans will need to set the alarm to watch the racing live but it will be action not to be missed! watch here here on Sky Sports from 2AM or for free to view via SailGP's YouTube channel.

Related Articles

Sir Ben Ainslie's SailGP team lands in London
Countdown to Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth begins With just one month to go until SailGP returns to UK shores, Sir Ben Ainslie's Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, including Dylan Fletcher MBE, Hannah Mills OBE and Ellie Aldridge MBE, brought a taste of the action to the capital. Posted on 19 Jun
Emirates GBR disappointed with New York result
But hoping to get back on the podium in Portsmouth Emirates GBR Driver Dylan Fletcher said the team was "disappointed" with their result at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, but was hoping to "get back on the podium" at their home event, the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth. Posted on 9 Jun
NBA Legend joins Emirates GBR
Jeremy Lamb flying high on an F50 at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix NBA Legend Jeremy Lamb joined Emirates GBR on-board their F50 race boat on Day One of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix. Lamb experienced the thrill of foiling on the 50ft catamaran race boat on the Hudson River. Posted on 8 Jun
Emirates GBR looking to bounce back
At the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix this weekend Emirates GBR Driver Dylan Fletcher said the team was "looking to bounce back" at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix this weekend, following a "tough time" at the back-to-back US events in LA and San Francisco in March. Posted on 6 Jun
Emirates GBR finishes 7th in San Francisco
Leaving them in second place on the 2025 Season leaderboard The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Team has finished in seventh place at the Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix, leaving them in second place on the 2025 Season leaderboard. Posted on 24 Mar
'Not the finest day' for Emirates GBR
But Driver Dylan Fletcher says team will 'come out strong' for day two in San Francisco The Emirates GBR SailGP Team is currently sixth on the leaderboard after day one of the Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix. Driver Dylan Fletcher said it was "not the finest day" for he and his team. Posted on 23 Mar
From Hollywood to the Golden Gate
Emirates GBR ready to deliver in SailGP's first-ever back-to-back battle Emirates GBR is gearing up for the second installment of SailGP's first-ever double-header, the Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix on 22-23 March. Posted on 22 Mar
Emirates GBR misses out on Final by one point
At the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has missed out on its first final of the 2025 Season by just one point, despite winning two of the three fleet races on Race Day 2 of the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix. Posted on 17 Mar
Emirates GBR in the hunt
After day one of the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix The Emirates GBR SailGP Team is in the hunt after the first day of the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix. The British crew, driven by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher, sits in sixth place on the leaderboard heading in to race day two on Sunday. Posted on 16 Mar
Emirates GBR SailGP Team aim to defend top spot
At back-to-back US events The Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team is preparing to defend its top spot on the championship leaderboard at the fourth event of the 2025 Season, the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix. Posted on 15 Mar