A bright start, and Lucky streaks away
The 2025 Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race began beneath bright blue skies and a teasing spring breeze. At exactly 1 pm AEDT (3 pm NZDT) on 11 October, the starting horn echoed across Sydney Harbour and the fleet powered forwards in a flash of white spray and carbon. Within minutes, Lucky — the sleek, Juan K-designed 27-metre maxi once known as Rambler 88 — was striding ahead. By 1:12 pm she’d cleared the Heads and turned left toward Pittwater, already stretching her lead across the Tasman.
It was a remarkable turnaround for the American entry. Owner Bryon Ehrhart and his team, which includes Brad Butterworth (New Zealand yachting ‘royality’) had only just made the start line after engine issues delayed their delivery from New Zealand. Lucky arrived in Sydney less than 24 hours before the gun, while Ehrhart himself landed the same day. “Thankfully I’m here and the boat’s here,” he said before the start. “An engine problem caused the delay, but we’re ready to go.”
With Brad Butterworth calling tactics and a crew stacked with offshore experience, Lucky quickly stretched away from the fleet. By 10 am NZ time on Sunday she’d covered nearly 290 nautical miles and was holding a Velocity Made Good (VMG) of around 14½ knots — fast enough to threaten the race record of 5 days, 3 hours, 37 minutes set by Antipodes in 2023.
Battles behind the leader
As Lucky disappeared over the horizon, the fleet behind her found plenty to fight over. Antipodes — Geoff Hill’s Santa Cruz 72 and reigning line-honours champion — led the chase through the night. Close behind, Mick Martin’s TP52 handicap champion Frantic kept pressure on, matching pace and forcing tactical choices with every shift.
By dawn, the official race update shared captured the scene perfectly:
“GOOD MORNING FROM THE TASMAN! AS LUCKY STEAMS AHEAD, A GREAT BATTLE IS OCCURRING BETWEEN ANTIPODES AND FRANTIC WITH FRANTIC HOT ON THE STERN. WINGS AND COOLOOLA ARE IN CLOSE QUARTERS WITH EACH OTHER. CREWS ENJOYED A GOOD OVERNIGHT SAIL AND ARE UP ON DECK FOR A HOT BREAKFAST AND STUNNING SUNRISES AS THEY EDGE CLOSER TO AUCKLAND.”
The tone across the fleet was upbeat. Clear skies and mild conditions gave everyone a chance to settle into routine — watch rotations, systems checks, and the all-important morning coffee.
A shanty from Frantic
Out on the Tasman, boredom is rare but humour essential. Frantic’s crew decided to contribute a little levity with an original sea shanty shared in their Sunday media report:
“THERE ONCE WAS A BOAT CALLED FRANTIC;
WHO DREAMED TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC.
BUT THE SKIPPER HAD A PITCH –
‘LET’S SAIL THE BLOODY DITCH!’
AND THAT’S HOW WE ENDED UP ON THIS ANTIC.”
It was a small moment that spoke volumes about offshore camaraderie — proof that even while racing flat-out across 1,200 miles of ocean, there’s room for a laugh.
Life aboard the smaller yachts
Further astern, Ian Edwards’ Dehler 46 Wings and Alan Hill’s Swan 48 Cooloola sailed almost side by side. Both crews reported good food, light winds, and plenty of banter. Cooloola’s team had pre-prepared hot meals — chicken pasta, roast dinners, and green curry — while Wings focused on staying ahead of the predicted high-pressure ridge mid-week.
“It’s a proper bluewater race,” said Cooloola’s boat captain Tom Vincent earlier. “We’ve got a comfortable boat, a great menu, and a good mix of age and experience — and a bit of youthful stupidity to keep things lively.”
The weather window and what’s next
Meteorologist Roger ‘Clouds’ Badham predicted a north-westerly flow across the Tasman lasting through Monday, followed by a front crossing the North Island on Tuesday. That means a likely shift from downwind running to fresher headwinds near New Zealand — a true offshore test before the final sprint into Okahu Bay.
At this pace, Lucky could reach Auckland early Wednesday morning (well in time for the PIC Coastal Classic), with Antipodes and Frantic roughly a day behind. Wings and Cooloola are expected later in the week.
Rhythm on the Tasman
By Sunday morning, the fleet had found its rhythm — meals on schedule, watches rotating smoothly, and navigation lights glowing in calm seas. The ocean between Sydney and Auckland may be called “the Ditch”, but for these sailors it’s a link between two worlds: Australian sunshine behind them, New Zealand skies ahead.
Whether chasing line honours or simply making memories, the crews of the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025 are now fully at sea — united by breeze, banter, and, thanks to Frantic, a shanty that might just become part of Tasman lore.
