Biotherm Secures Ocean Race Europe Leg 3 Victory, Engaging in a Close Competition with Team Holcim-PRB
Biotherm Takes the Lead in Ocean Race Europe Leg 3
The third leg of The Ocean Race Europe is proving to be a thrilling contest, with Biotherm regaining its lead after a neck-and-neck race with Holcim-PRB.
The Mediterranean presented challenging, unstable conditions throughout the race, requiring teams to make tactical decisions based on instinct. The upwind conditions were particularly intense, necessitating frequent tacks and constant trimming.
After a long night of light, humid airs, the pace picked up, and Holcim-PRB's Carolijn Brouwer described the conditions as "hot, sticky, sweaty - but fun." Stronger winds arrived as the fleet approached the French coast, necessitating a course amendment to avoid treacherous conditions.
Biotherm, leading the race after Leg 1 and Leg 2, managed to pull ahead but never felt secure in its lead, with Holcim-PRB often closing the gap to just half a mile. Biotherm made crew changes for this leg, replacing Jack Boutel with Benjamin Ferré.
Holcim-PRB helmsman Franck Cammas expressed enjoyment in the close battle against Biotherm, while Ambrogio Beccaria of Allagrande Mapei Racing, who finished in third place, 53 minutes after Holcim-PRB, expressed his love for Mediterranean sailing, despite its unpredictable nature.
Yoann Richomme's Team Paprec Arkéa finished in fourth place despite sustaining damage. Team Amaala, who experienced a wind squall with winds reaching 70 knots, requiring the skipper Alan Roura to reduce sail while on deck in his underpants, is still to finish the race.
The leaderboard for Ocean Race Leg 3 currently stands as follows: Biotherm, Team Holcim-PRB, Allagrande Mapei Racing, Paprec Arkéa Team, Team Malizia, Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive, and Team Amaala.
The fleet will set off for Ocean Race Europe Leg 4 on 31 August for a 600 nautical mile spring to Genoa, Italy. The start date for this leg is at 17:00 local time (15:00 UTC).
Stay tuned for more updates as the race continues!
