A night to remember
The Tasman showed its temper last night, delivering the toughest conditions yet in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race. What began as a routine evening quickly turned chaotic as a squall line swept through the fleet, forcing rapid sail changes and tense moments across multiple boats.
On Alan Hill’s Swan 48 Cooloola, crew member Lisa Denvir described how the storm hit just as dinner was about to be served.
“We had an eventful evening aboard. Just as we were about to have dinner, a front hit us with a vengeance,” she said. “We had the A2 up at the time, but managed to retrieve it and everyone is safe. We saw 42 knots on a number of occasions but have moved on this sunny morning.”
The veteran crew recovered quickly and are now pressing east once more, the boat’s heavy-weather pedigree showing through after a punishing night.
“Heading to Antarctica – nope”
Further north, Geoff Hill’s Antipodes also took a battering. Navigator Brad Kellett summed up the night in typically dry fashion:
“If ocean racing was easy and fun all the time, everybody would do it. Last night was a mission. Pitch black, nothing to steer to, wind shifting 90 degrees. Heading to NZ – nope. Heading to Antarctica – nope. Heading to Lord Howe Island!”
By mid-morning the crew had steadied the ship and were once again “two-sail reaching in a northerly” toward Cape Reinga.
Tough conditions, high morale
On Ian Edwards’ Dehler 46 Wings, crew member Janease Graham reported another wet and windy night.
“It was a very breezy, very dark night, but everyone’s still smiling. Wings is heading east under kite now, cruising with the S5 as the breeze has abated,” she said.
Teammate Jana Com added, “It’s hardly stopped raining, but we’re all in good spirits.”
Despite the soaking, the Wings crew continue to push steadily east, maintaining a strong mid-fleet position.
Lucky charges toward New Zealand
At the head of the fleet, Bryon Ehrhart’s Juan K 88 Lucky is storming toward line honours with a commanding lead. Kiwi sailor Jono Rankine reported the boat averaging 20–25 knots overnight in 15–22 knots of breeze, despite a brief delay to fix a mainsail batten box.
“It’s a little damp on deck at times,” Rankine said, “but under 300 miles to go to the Cape.”
By 10 a.m. Lucky had just 465 nautical miles remaining and continued to clock speeds above 22 knots, well on track to reach Auckland first.
Behind her, Antipodes and Mick Martin’s Frantic remain locked in their own trans-Tasman duel, separated by just 13 miles, with Wings another 90 miles astern and Cooloola a further 49 miles back.
Fleet progress update – Monday 13 October, 9:34 pm NZDT
By Monday night, Lucky had pulled even further ahead of the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race fleet, slicing across the Tasman with more than 770 nautical miles covered and around 400 nautical miles to run. Her pace through the afternoon held near 18 knots VMG, keeping her on track for a Tuesday midday arrival in Auckland – potentially inside the three-day mark. Behind her, Antipodes continues to lead the chasing pack, shadowed closely by Frantic, both making steady 10-knot averages as they enter the mid-Tasman stretch. Further astern, Wings and Cooloola remain in close company, pacing each other through lighter conditions and holding their positions on corrected time.
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025 – standings as of Monday 13 October (9:34 pm NZDT)
| Boat | Type / Club | Distance to Finish (nm) | 24 h Run (nm) | Line Honours | IRC / PHS / ORC Placings | Estimated Arrival (NZDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky | Juan K 88 / NYYC | ≈ 400 | ~480 | 1st (Line) | 1st IRC · 1st PHS | Tue 14 Oct 1 pm – 2 pm |
| Antipodes | Santa Cruz 72 / CYCA | ≈ 720 | ~260 | 2nd (Line) | 2nd IRC · 4th PHS | Thu 16 Oct 7 pm |
| Frantic | TP52 / CYCA | ≈ 740 | ~250 | 3rd (Line) | 3rd IRC · 3rd PHS | Thu 16 Oct 10 pm |
| Wings | Dehler 46 / RPAYC | ≈ 830 | ~220 | 4th (Line) | 4th IRC · 2nd PHS · 1st ORC | Fri 17 Oct 10 pm |
| Cooloola | Swan 48 / RPAYC | ≈ 870 | ~200 | 5th (Line) | 5th IRC · 5th PHS · 2nd ORC | Sat 18 Oct 7 pm |
Human stories at sea
While the race leaders chase trophies, others face more practical challenges. RPAYC Commodore Rob McClelland, whose First Picasso is entered in the Rally division, has temporarily left his yacht in the Bay of Islands awaiting engine repairs. He’ll complete his own journey to Auckland by road, to meet the rest of the fleet at Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
Summing up today
After last night’s hammering, the fleet is now enjoying clearer skies and steadier breezes as it surges toward New Zealand. The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race is proving a true test of seamanship — a rare ocean passage that demands endurance, teamwork, and calm heads when the Tasman turns wild.
