Dolphins 1 - 0 Stupid Sail GP
SailGP: Dolphins force Christchurch racing to be cancelled
f the SailGP event in Christchurch wasn't already in its death throes, it may have edged closer to being terminated as frustrated chief executive Russell Coutts watched the unthinkable unfold at Lyttelton Harbour on Saturday.
With Coutts stating before the weekend that Christchurch was unlikely to host the event again because a few "minority groups'' had made "life difficult for us'', citing an inability to agree on dates in February next year, it was difficult not to dwell on the uncertain future of the event when Hector's dolphins threw the event into turmoil before the first of the three scheduled races.
After a delay of about 75 minutes, the day's racing was cancelled.
Concerns about collisions with Hector's dolphins were raised prior to the event, which will also be held on Sunday, resulting in an independent decision maker being appointed to halt races after two dolphins were sighted in the race zone during the final race last year.
And, as if to prove a point, the mammals appeared close to the start line prior to the first race. They never left.
The party atmosphere at the venue slowly began to lose its fizz, replaced by a sense of helplessness as all eyes were locked on the water in the hope the dolphins to steer clear of the race zone; crews could do nothing but stare at the horizon, musician Dave Dobbyn briefly warmed-up his pipes and bashed out a few tunes, and one couldn't even begin to guess what Coutts was muttering as he stared at the boats bobbing listlessly on the water.
Whatever Coutts was saying, it may not have been much different from his statements when he said to TV1: "Unfortunately we won’t be here [in Christchurch] next year, and possibly not ever, because we need those February dates to fit in with the international calendar."
Ticket holders wandered through the gates in the knowledge that while they had been about to witness the beginning of the end (after learning of Coutts' remarks), they would at least be treated to fast, entertaining races. How wrong they were.
There was little option but to play the waiting game and add another layer of clothing to stay warm as the minutes ticked by.
Billed as the world's largest ticketed sailing event, with 22,000 people to attend over two days, it would be a blow to Christchurch if it was to be rubbed off the SailGP calendar. The crews, too, love racing on a course that allows them to be so close to the spectators, and can hear them cheering as they complete their races.
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