Displaying items by tag: Christchurch

25th March 2024

Australia Crash Out Of SailGP’s Christchurch Grand Prix After Turning Into Course Mark - But Move Avoids Greater Catastrophe

Australia’s SailGP team suffered a massive collision that forced their retirement from the second annual New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch at the weekend.

As Marine Industry News reports, Tom Slingsby and his crew were rocked by the collision with a course mark during the first fleet race on Sunday (24 March) — a so-called ‘Super Sunday’ due to the cancellation of Saturday’s racing over dolphins on the racecourse.

While the crash was a devastating blow for the team, who celebrated victory in their home event last month, it could have been much worse for them and for Canada’s F50 as it was the result of a split-second manoeuvre to avoid a catastrophic clash between the two boats.

“It all happened so quickly but at that moment I knew that we were going to hit Canada, so I had a choice to make and I wanted to keep people safe so I turned the boat as hard as I could into the course mark,” Australia Team driver Slingsby said. “I knew the mark was there but it was either that or go straight through Canada.”

New Zealand’s Peter Burling and crew went on to take the victory in their home race in this ninth round of the SailGP’s fourth season.

Marine Industry News has more on the story HERE.

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The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

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In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.