Barring any misfortune, it seems certain that Lucky will claim line honours in this year’s Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race. Approaching the halfway mark, the 27-metre maxi continues to dominate — leading both on line and handicap.
The real excitement now lies in two questions: can Lucky set a new race record, and who will prevail in the fierce mid-Tasman duel between Antipodes and Frantic? Under clear skies and light westerlies, the long-running rivalry between these two crews is providing plenty of tension and entertainment across the fleet.
At the latest position report (12 October 9pm AEDT), just 10 nautical miles separate Antipodes and Frantic — about the same distance as Tiritiri Matangi to Kawau Island — easily within sight on a day like this across the Tasman.
A smooth Tasman morning
The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race fleet has settled into rhythm on the Tasman, with the 27-metre maxi Lucky continuing to lead as crews enjoy ideal reaching conditions and picture-perfect sailing. On Antipodes, navigator Brad Kellett reported a classic night at sea.
“It was a beautiful night’s sail on the Tasman. We’ve crossed the East Australian Current and found an eddy pushing us toward New Zealand. The red moon rose at midnight, the sun came up right on the bow, and the boys are cooking bacon and eggs for breakfast.”
Antipodes is now sailing under spinnaker in light west-north-westerlies around eight knots — but the crew of Frantic isn’t letting them slip away.
Frantic keeps the pressure on
Onboard Frantic, the crew are in pursuit. Crew member Jane Roberts described the overnight duel:
“Antipodes started sneaking away from us after a sail change around 10 pm, but we’ve gradually pulled them back over the morning. It’s been perfect sailing — 10 to 18 knots last night, easing to around 10 now.”
The team’s skipper, former Wallaby Mick Martin, has already shown Frantic’s staying power in long-distance races. The yacht still holds the Sydney Nouméa record (set in 2018) and claimed victory in last year’s Sydney to Auckland race. Spirits remain high — the crew even broke into a sea shanty this morning, which will feature soon on social media.
“Mick’s cooking bacon and egg slice for breakfast,” Roberts laughed. “We’re all in good spirits and focused on hunting down Antipodes.”
Across the fleet
Behind the leading trio, boats are sailing in similar conditions under clear skies and gentle north-westerlies. The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s biannual bluewater race, co-hosted with Auckland’s Royal Akarana Yacht Club, has already served up classic Tasman variety — calm starts, heavy breeze, and sunshine within days.
RPAYC Commodore Rob McClelland, competing in the new Rally for Cruisers division aboard his Jeanneau 57 First Picasso, summed it up well after engine trouble forced a stop in the Bay of Islands:
“We had 45 knots on Monday and were down to a triple-reefed main for 24 hours. The next day we were in shorts and T-shirts with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Every day was completely different — it’s been a fantastic trip.”
Engine failure sidelines Commodore’s yacht as Sydney to Auckland race continues
