The battle for the Season 3 Impact League is heating up after Denmark narrowly won the podium for the planet in Christchurch, marking its fourth Impact League win this season.

The Danes picked up a total of 182 points - just one ahead of season leaders and Season 2 champions New Zealand. Australia meanwhile took the most improved title after picking up 178 points to sit in third.

The total prize money of $25K will be divided between the three top teams and donated to their Race For The Future partners. As the winning team, Denmark is also awarded a Golden Crane Ticket - an on-water advantage that allows the winner of each event to adjust their crane slot assignment to suit their team’s schedule and ultimately allow for more time on the water to train.

The results mean that New Zealand remains in first place position with 1,416 points on the overall leaderboard but is now just two points ahead of rivals Denmark in second heading into the Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco. Canada meanwhile sits in third with 1,386 points.

Denmark driver Nicolai Sehested said the results have set the stage for 'a nail-biting final both on and off the water in San Francisco'.

"At the beginning of this season, we set out a super ambitious goal to win the Impact League, having finished last in the Season 2 rankings. We've now won more events than any other team, which shows what can be achieved with hard work, innovation and collaboration, from the sailors to the shore team and our partners at ROCKWOOL and One Ocean Foundation."

"We know that together we have created a really positive impact already this season, but of course it's a competition and we want to get our hands on that trophy when we head to the United States Sail Grand Prix in a few weeks and we'll be pushing hard to take the win."

Highlights from the event saw Denmark adopt an on water waste management disposal system, New Zealand launch the Moanamana Project to educate young people about climate change and Australia’s beach clean collaboration with Impact League partner Parley/ Elsewhere, other teams worked with their Adopt-A-Clubs to volunteer on local projects and educate young people.

Speaking about the results, sustainability and impact project manager Rosie Gosling said: 'Following the Christchurch Impact League results, it's neck and neck between New Zealand and Denmark at the top of the leaderboard as we go into our final event in San Francisco.

“I'm really looking forward to seeing the San Francisco submissions which include the teams tech and innovation projects this season and what they have achieved with their Race for the Future partners. It is going to be really close!”

The Impact League is measured across 10 criteria, including travel and accommodation, food, and diversity, equality and inclusion, which are aligned to SailGP’s targets to reduce its carbon footprint by 55%.