Arriving in Sydney within only one day to go, the maxi Lucky brings serious heat to the line-up.
When Lucky, the Juan K-designed, full-carbon 27-metre maxi, slipped into Sydney Harbour yesterday, it did more than make a port call — our man on the ground, Greg Pugh, tells us it arrived with just one day to spare before the start of the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race. After a weather-forced retreat to Opua earlier in the week, the Ehrhart-owned campaign pulled off a critical daylight dash to the start line.
That arrival injects momentum into an already tense pre-race atmosphere. With the clock ticking, the crew will now zero in on final systems checks, routing, and weather updates before the 1 pm (Sydney local time) Saturday gun. There’s barely time to breathe — let alone ease into race mode.
While her arrival steals headlines, Lucky’s credentials enrich the story. Once known as Rambler 88, she is now operated by Bryon Ehrhart under the New York Yacht Club banner. Her all-carbon build, canting keel and daggerboards place her firmly in the high-performance category. She’s claimed line honours in the Transatlantic, Transpac and Caribbean 600. On top of record chasing, the campaign also brings in young talent — the message is clear: win and develop. Their stated goal? “Be first to the Viaduct.”
Earlier in the week, Boating New Zealand Facebook champion, Brent Hounslow, reported that Lucky attempted to depart New Zealand but was battered back to Opua under heavy weather. That may have derailed others — for Lucky, it has only sharpened the sense of urgency.
The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025 is a demanding 1,250-nautical-mile Category 1 offshore event co-hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (Sydney) and Royal Akarana Yacht Club (Auckland).
The fleet departs Sydney Harbour at 1 pm today (on Saturday, 11 October), rounding North Head before pointing north toward a turning mark off Barrenjoey Headland, then across the open Tasman toward Auckland.
Forecasts suggest strong north-westerlies to kick the race off, shifting conditions as the fleet approaches New Zealand — a full test of seamanship, strategy and teamwork.
All set for the Sydney to Auckland Yacht Race 2025 — the Tasman challenge begins tomorrow
With just hours until the start, Lucky’s arrival lifts her status from hopeful to serious contender. She must now convert urgency into executioner: final sail tweaks, navigation briefings, crew rest, and mental focus. Her competitors will watch her closely.
For the rest of the fleet, Lucky’s late arrival acts as a statement — a reminder that in a race of this magnitude, nothing is assured. The first night will likely be lively, with shifts, gambits and speed duels before the Tasman settles into its longer game.
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We’d like to thank Greg Pugh and Brent Hounslow for providing us with updates on Lucky’s progress. If you have any further updates on Lucky, the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race, or other entries — each with their own stories to tell — we would love to hear from you.
