Rikki is a one year-old Reichel/Pugh 42, purpose built for offshore racing. Shortly after her launch, Haslar took Rikki in her firs ocean race, the 250 nautical mile (Not) Round White Island Race in November last year. The race started in a choppy 15-20 knot south-westerly that peaked at 40 knots and resulted in a broach along the way. However, that did not dampen enthusiasm and her crew sailed the new boat to an IRC win. Haslar went on to compete in this year's Auckland to Noumea race, placing second on IRC. Among his crew is Blair Tuke, fresh from winning a silver medal in the 49er class at the London Games. Rikki has a fair chance of being declared New Zealand's fourth only winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart.