The Ocean Race 2023 with Boris Herrmann and Susann Beucke, who is pausing on the third stage, is running. An overview of the route, all important events, live trackers and background information are available in the NDR.de live ticker.
Co-skipper Kuiper gives the all-clear after an upset stomach
The German team Malizia can rely on its Dutch co-skipper Rosalin Kuiper for the third crossing of the sea marathon that starts today. The 26-year-old had recently suffered from an upset stomach. In a video shared by skipper Boris Herrmann on his Twitter account, Kuiper explained that she had been “a little ill” but is feeling better now and is really looking forward to the next stage.
Stanjek on the third stage: “The most adverse conditions”
The voltage increases. The third stage begins today (1:15 p.m.) – and thus the most difficult test of the circumnavigation. It is 12,750 nautical miles (23,600 kilometers) from Cape Town to Itajai in Brazil. More than a month of battling wind and waves and hardly any sleep await the crews on the longest leg of the regatta’s 50-year history.
“These are the most adverse conditions you will find on this planet. There is nothing, no land masses that slow down the wind, the waves. It’s all a little harder and bigger – and of course colder,” said Guyot co-skipper Robert Stanjek before the hot ride through the Southern Ocean.
In-Port-Race: Holcim in front – Malizia in third place
Holcim – PRB comfortably won the second in-port race on Friday in winds of 15 to 18 knots. Team Malizia, who triumphed in the first port race before the start of the Ocean Race in Alicante, finished third behind 11th Hour Racing two days before the start of the toughest stage through the Southern Ocean, around five minutes behind the winner. Guyot environnement – Team Europe finished fourth. On the way to the start, Biotherm Racing caught a foil in the ropes of a buoy and returned directly to the harbor after being freed.
Malizia thus defended its lead in the so-called in-port ranking. The placings and points are not counted towards the results in the offshore stages. But if two or more teams are tied after the seven offshore stages, the in-port placement serves as a “tie breaker” – it can therefore be decisive.
The final touch before stage three
The king’s stage of the Ocean Race starts on Sunday – 12,750 nautical miles from Cape Town to Itajai in Brazil. On the Imoca yachts, the crews are working under high pressure on the final touches: On the Malizia – Seaexplorer, it was also about reducing the annoying continuous whistling.
Team Holcim: Ehler instead of Beucke
Susann Beucke from Kiel will not take part in the third stage of the Ocean Race with Team Holcim. Skipper Kevin Escoffier has decided to change the crew and is taking the three-time circumnavigator Abby Ehler with him instead of the 31-year-old.
Boris Herrmann flirting with victory on the third stage
Team Malizia is optimistic going into the third and longest stage of the Ocean Race from Cape Town to Itajai, Brazil, which begins on Sunday. The crews will be at sea for around a month – it is the toughest part of the circumnavigation. After ranks three and four, a better placement should now come out.
“I’m looking forward to the third stage because I believe that we can perform very well and maybe even win,” said skipper Boris Herrmann, who is also building on a special encounter: “I hope we’ll pass Cape Horn in such a way that we can reach and see it in a good position. Sometimes the weather keeps you too far away. It’s such a cool and iconic landmark!”
Team Malizia packs spare oars
Boris Herrmann doesn’t want to leave anything to chance on the third stage, which is over 12,750 nautical miles long. A good 200 kilos of spare parts will be on board the Malizia – even a spare rudder. He plans a bit differently for a good reason, the skipper told NDR. Because nothing is allowed to happen where outside help would be needed. There is no port that could even be reached by plane on the Southern Ocean course.
No respite in Cape Town
Malizia skipper Boris Herrmann had repeatedly emphasized before the start: The Ocean Race is decided on the water and on land. While the crew recovers from the exertions of the second stage, the boats are worked on intensively around the clock. The Imocas have to go back into the water this Saturday – that’s what the organizers want it to do.
“I’m currently very involved in the technical preparation. Which spare parts we take with us, what we convert and what we want to do at the next stopover,” Herrmann told NDR on Thursday. The native of Oldenburg, who will be back on board for the third leg after his foot injury, not only sits in many meetings, but also closely monitors the repair and maintenance work on his Malizia.
“We’re trying to get rid of the vibrations that cause the loud screeching noise on board by grinding work. The foils are also being repaired. At the very end we also had a real tear across the foil in the middle, which worried us quite a bit. ” On February 26, the king’s stage begins over 12,750 nautical miles to Brazil – by then at the latest everything has to be ready.
Team Holcim with an ideal number of points
Two stages, two victories: Team Holcim has been the measure of all things at the Ocean Race so far. But there are still five more sections to be sailed, nothing has been decided in the overall ranking. The current status:
1. Team Holcim – 10 points
2. 11th Hour Racing – 7 points
3. Biotherm Racing – 6 points
4. Team Malizia – 5 points
5. GUYOT environment – Team Europe – 2 points
Live tracker: An overview of what’s happening in the race
Huge cheers from stage winner Susann Beucke
How hard it was, but also how nice, the Kiel native described to the NDR.
The exciting second stage in summary
Also Guyot arrived in Cape Town
Guyot environnement – Team Europe also arrived in Cape Town as the last of the five Imoca yachts, thus ending the second stage. The starting signal for the third section will be given in two weeks (February 26). The destination is Itajai in Brazil – at 12,750 nautical miles it is the king’s stage of this ocean race edition.
Malizia finished fourth
At 4.16 p.m. – a little more than two hours after the winner – the Malizia also crossed the finish line. Boris Herrmann, who has an injured foot, drives towards his fourth-placed team after a great fight and commitment. He will probably be back on board for the third stage.
Susann Beucke is looking forward to a shower
Offshore high-flyer Susann Beucke not only enjoys the victory of her team Holcim – PRB, she also liked the tight course of the race, as she told Yacht.de. “I think it’s super cool because I’m so used to it from Olympic sailing that it’s only clear before the finish line who’s won or who’s last. That makes it more exciting.” Now the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist is not only looking forward to the victory, but above all to a shower.
This is how stage winner Holcim is celebrated on arrival
The pictures might be a bit blurred… But the weather and mood speak for themselves…
Biotherm in second place
At 2:26 p.m., Team Biotherm had also successfully completed the 4,600 nautical miles from Cape Verde to Cape Town. 11th Hour Racing followed shortly after and also made it onto the podium. The Malizia are still around 13 nautical miles away from the finish line, with Guyot bringing up the rear 50 nautical miles.
Holcim completes second stage win
At 2.10 p.m. the second triumph of the Swiss team Holcim – PRB with Ocean Race debutant Susann Beucke from Kiel was perfect. 11th Hour Racing and Biotherm are going head-to-head for second place.
The Ocean Race: The Stages
1st stage: Alicante – Cape Verde
Start: January 15; Arrival: January 21 1,900 nautical miles
2nd stage: Cape Verde – Cape Town/South Africa
Start: January 25th. Arrival: February 12, 4,600 nautical miles
3rd stage: Cape Town – Itajai/Brazil
Start: February 26; Expected arrival: April 1st 12,750 nautical miles
4th stage: Itajai/Brazil – Newport/USA
Launch: April 23; Expected arrival: May 10, 5,550 nautical miles
5th stage: Newport/USA – Aarhus/Denmark
Start: May 21; Expected arrival: May 30, 3,500 nautical miles
6th stage: Aarhus/Denmark – Fly-By Kiel – The Hague/Netherlands
Start: June 8; Kiel (no stop) June 9; Expected arrival: June 11, 800 nautical miles
7th stage: The Hague/Netherlands – Genoa/Italy
Start: June 15; Expected finish: July 1, 2,200 nautical miles
This topic in the program:
sports club | 02/26/2023 | 10:50 p.m
