The first day of the SailGP racing event in Lyttelton has been abandoned after dolphins were sighted on the course.

The race was due to get under way about 3pm, but was delayed after the dolphins were spotted.

After they had not moved on about two hours later, the race was called off entirely.

Concerns about Hector’s dolphins had been raised prior to the event.

Two dolphins had been spotted in the area, within 300 metres of the boats, during the final race in 2023.

But despite being told to stop racing, the event director allowed it to go ahead.

That led to an independent decision-maker being appointed for this year’s event. They sit in the control room and are tasked with halting racing if any dolphins are seen.

Organisers have acknowledged that boat strikes are likely to be fatal to dolphins.