Tasman tests resolve as Sydney–Auckland fleet presses home
15 October 2025 – Fleet update, Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025.
The remaining yachts in the 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race are pressing through the final third of the Tasman, with the battle for places tightening as conditions finally begin to ease.
At 08:00 NZDT / 06:00 AEDT on Wednesday (15 October), four yachts, all Australian-flagged, remain at sea. Antipodes (Santa Cruz 72) continues to lead on the water, with Frantic (Kernan 44) close astern, while Wings (Dehler 46) and Cooloola (Swan 48) remain locked in their own steady offshore duel as the westerlies relax and skies clear to the west.
Fleet standings – 15 October morning update
Lucky has already arrived in Auckland and is first in Line Honours, IRC, PHS.
Line Honours (05:00 AEDT / 08:00 NZDT)
The battle between Antipodes and Frantic remains tight. With only 11 nautical miles to finish, the difference between the two will be the fight to watch as the boats continue towards New Zealand.
| Pos | Yacht | Est. Finish (NZDT) | Dist to Finish | VMG (kts) | 24 h DMG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Antipodes | 16 Oct 14:40 | 343 NM | 10.8 | 253 NM |
| 3 | Frantic | 16 Oct 15:49 | 352 NM | 10.7 | 254 NM |
| 4 | Wings | 17 Oct 19:57 | 531 NM | 8.7 | 203 NM |
| 5 | Cooloola | 18 Oct 08:30 | 586 NM | 8.1 | 189 NM |
IRC Handicap standings
| Pos | Yacht | Est. Finish (NZDT) | Corrected Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Frantic | 16 Oct 15:49 | 6 d 18 h 16 m 40 s |
| 3 | Antipodes | 16 Oct 14:40 | 7 d 00 h 25 m 43 s |
| 4 | Wings | 17 Oct 19:57 | 7 d 01 h 12 m 55 s |
| 5 | Cooloola | 18 Oct 08:30 | 7 d 14 h 10 m 10 s |
ORC Division
Only Wings and Cooloola are competing in the ORC Division
| Pos | Yacht | Est. Finish (NZDT) | Corrected Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wings | 17 Oct 19:57 | 7 d 17 h 44 m 05 s |
| 2 | Cooloola | 18 Oct 08:30 | 8 d 11 h 21 m 20 s |
PHS Division
| Pos | Yacht | Est. Finish (NZDT) | Corrected Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Frantic | 16 Oct 15:49 | 6 d 16 h 06 m 53 s |
| 3 | Wings | 17 Oct 19:57 | 6 d 17 h 04 m 35 s |
| 4 | Antipodes | 16 Oct 14:40 | 7 d 00 h 06 m 24 s |
| 5 | Cooloola | 18 Oct 08:30 | 7 d 14 h 10 m 10 s |
Reports from the Tasman
While the leaders push towards New Zealand, the mid-fleet is still battling a restless sea state, though with far more forgiving conditions than the squalls that swept the Tasman on Tuesday.
From Cooloola, sailing under the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club burgee, came this overnight update:
“Seems typical that this time of the day we get some kind of a change. Current watch came up to a full main and A2 after most of the night on a heavy jib and first reef. Shortly after we made the call to drop the kite and change to the code. Top wind speed overnight in the high 30s, mostly 22–27. Currently in 15–30 and aiming where we want to go.”
— Lisa driving, Tom messaging, Cooloola
Easing conditions near New Zealand
Closer to New Zealand, the Kaipara Coastal Forecast shows south-west winds around 20 knots easing to 10 knots through Wednesday, with a long-period westerly swell of about two metres. Visibility is expected to be fair in occasional showers.
The front that swept east across the Tasman has now lost much of its strength, giving offshore crews a reprieve from the hardest conditions. By Thursday, winds are forecast to fall below 10 knots, setting up a gentler run into Auckland for the trailing pair.
While seas remain lively, the worst of the chop is easing — a welcome change after two days of heavy going across the Tasman.
A steady run to the finish
For Antipodes and Frantic, the final 350 miles will decide the line-honours podium battle, with both yachts holding steady speeds near 11 knots. Behind them, Wings and Cooloola are pacing consistently in the 8-knot range, closing the gap under clearer skies and calmer seas.
After nearly a week that has delivered everything from light-air drifting to near-gale squalls, the race is settling into its final rhythm. The crews still offshore have endured a classic Tasman mix of patience, persistence, and punishment — and now, finally, a hint of relief.
As the front-runners near Auckland, the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race continues to prove why it’s fast becoming one of the most rewarding and demanding passages in the Southern Hemisphere.
Reference material: Tracking leaderboard (15 Oct 05:00 AEDT / 08:00 NZDT). Forecast: MetService Kaipara Coastal (15 Oct 2025 morning).
