The Ocean Race 2022-23 – Updates and live tracker as Leg 2 from Cabo Verde to Cape Town begins

09:00 – WHAT HAPPENED IN LEG 1?

IMOCA

Team Holcim-PRB secured victory in Leg 1 of the Ocean Race.

Skippered by Kevin Escoffier, Team Holcim-PRB crossed the line off Mindelo, Cabo Verde in a time of 5 days, 11 hours, 1 minute and 59 seconds.

It was a commanding performance from Team Holcim-PRB, as Escoffier and his crew led for the majority of the race.

Team Holcim-PRB were involved in a fierce battle with the 11th Hour Racing Team, but the latter suffered a torn headsail and had to slow down to fit a replacement – and that enabled Escoffier to secure clear water and power away.

The top three IMOCAs finished within five and a half hours of one another, with Biotherm taking fourth and GUYOT environnement – Team Europe fifth in times of six days, eight hours, 47 minutes and 47 seconds, and six days, 12 hours, 20 minutes and 37 seconds respectively.

VO65

In the VO65 class, WindWhisper Racing finished in the early afternoon on Saturday as Pablo Arrarte led his team to victory.

The Polish flagged team finished in a time of six days, one hour, 11 minutes and 14 seconds after escaping the brutal conditions of the Mediterranean in the opening 48 hours of the race with a lead they would extend and protect.

Team JAJO took second, Austrian Ocean Race were in third, Ambersail 2 took fourth and Viva Mexico came home in fifth. Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team retired from the leg.

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What is The Ocean Race?

The Ocean Race is a yacht race which takes place around the world and was first held in 1973.

Since 1988, it has been run every three years.

The 2022-23 race will see sailors compete in either the IMOCA 60 class or the VO65 class boat. Both classes are capable of high speeds, and in the right conditions, can cover 600 nautical miles or more in 24 hours.

There are currently five teams signed up for the IMOCA 60 class and six for the VO65 class.

The Ocean Race is one of the sport’s Big Three events, alongside the Olympic Games and America’s Cup.

The winner is the team that finishes in the shortest time. The last edition of the race was the closest in history, with Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng Race Team winning by only 16 minutes after 126 days of racing spread across 11 legs.

What’s the route for The Ocean Race?

The Ocean Race 2022-23 will visit nine cities over a six-month period, starting from Alicante, Spain, on January 15, 2023.

The race will finish in Genova, Italy.

Ocean Race route:

• Leg 1: Alicante, Spain to Cabo Verde, leg start on January 15, 1,900 nautical miles – Team Holcim-PRB take win in Leg 1 of the Ocean Race 2022-23
• Leg 2: Cabo Verde to Cape Town, South Africa leg start on January 25, 4,600 nautical miles
• Leg 3: Cape Town to Itajai, Brazil, leg start on February 26, 12,750 nautical miles
• Leg 4: Itajai to Newport, Rhode Island, leg start on April 23, 5,500 nautical miles
• Leg 5: Newport to Aarhus, Denmark, leg start on May 21, 3,500 nautical miles
• Leg 6: Aarhus to The Hague, Netherlands, leg start on June 8, 800 nautical miles
• Leg 7: The Hague to Genova, Italy, leg start on June 15, 2,200 nautical miles

How to watch and stream the Ocean Race

Viewers can enjoy streaming coverage of every leg live and on-demand on discovery+ and via the Eurosport app.