The European offshoot of The Ocean Race began in Kiel, Germany on Sunday for five of the seven competing IMOCA 60s, while a collision between Holcim-PRB and Allagrande Mapei Racing forced both boats to return to port. Both teams have reported that their crews are safe and shared that they’re disappointed to have started the event this way. The other five teams—Biotherm, Team Paprec Arkéa, Malizia, Be Water Positive, and Team Amaala—are off to Portsmouth, UK, for the race’s first stoppover.
The race began in gusty conditions, and it appears a broach was responsible for the loss of control aboard leeward Holcim-PRB that led to the impact. Allagrande Mapei’s masthead Code 0 was destroyed by their foil, and Holcim-PRB suffered hull damage.
Both teams subsequently filed protests over the incident, though a jury hearing has yet to be scheduled. It is unclear when they will be able to rejoin the race, but shore crews are hard at work making repairs, and Rosalin Kuiper of Holcim-PRB says they are hoping to have the boat in Portsmouth ready to compete in Leg 2 but that the incident and damage were still being assessed.
After the 2023 collision between 11th Hour Racing Team and Guyot Environnement at the start of Leg 7 of The Ocean Race, some fans are questioning whether these collisions are a matter of seamanship or structure. IMOCA 60s are purpose-built for offshore racing, but the starts often look more like dingy races, with fast maneuvers and the fleet close together. With improved weather protection comes reduced visibility on some of the designs, and in close quarters with foils and outriggers, that can spell disaster. Still, crews are responsible for understanding their limitations and managing them.
At press time, Biotherm is leading the fleet south down Denmark’s western coast. To check in on the fleet as they race around Europe, follow the tracker here.
