Bryon Ehrhart's 27-metre JK maxi Lucky is already well known on the New Zealand offshore circuit after her line-honours victory in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race just a couple of weeks ago. Now, with the sun beginning to settle to the west of the Whangārei Heads, she is setting the pace once more, this time building a commanding lead in the 42nd PIC Coastal Classic.
Mid-afternoon tracking placed Lucky roughly 20 kilometres clear of her nearest rivals, the big white hull holding a steady 9 to 10 knots in a light but building northerly. A message sent with an exclusive onboard photo summed up conditions neatly: "Just past Sail Rock, light breeze and looking for more beautiful coastline." The calm water points to measured, efficient progress rather than any kind of flat-out blast-reaching.
The Division 1a pack behind Lucky was experiencing something quite different. Callisto, Mayhem, Wired and Another Duchess were caught in softer pressure off Hen Island, speeds dropping as low as 2.9 knots. A gap opening that early in a race reflects the advantage of a well-prepared crew who know how to extract pace from New Zealand's variable coastal conditions. Brad Butterworth's experience is part of the picture, but the collective ability of Lucky's entire crew to make the most of whatever wind is on offer has been equally important.
Ehrhart spoke about the event earlier this month, describing the PIC Coastal Classic as "a proper Kiwi challenge - short, tactical, and beautiful all the way north." His passion for offshore sailing and his admiration for New Zealand's coastline made the race a straightforward addition to Lucky's calendar, and that enthusiasm appears to be translating directly into performance on the water.
The 42nd PIC Coastal Classic may be unfolding in gentle airs, but Lucky is showing that mastery of light-wind sailing counts just as much as raw horsepower. With the Bay of Islands still to come and the breeze expected to hold, Bryon Ehrhart and his crew look well placed to add another chapter to Lucky's already distinguished story.
