Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing Team both suspend racing amid high drama at the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23 Leg 3
Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing Team both decided to suspend racing amid high drama at the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23 Leg 3.
With Cape Town’s Table Mountain providing a stunning backdrop, the five boats began their 12,750-nautical mile journey to Itajai, Brazil – the longest leg in the race’s history.
And there was drama right from the beginning of the leg as four of the five boats got stuck in a low-wind compression, while Biotherm were the only ones to time their advance to the start line correctly, charging away from the rest.
The Ocean Race
‘We broke the loop’ – Paul Meilhat explains exactly what went wrong on Biotherm boat
AN HOUR AGO
It was almost two minutes before another boat even passed the start line, as the wind conditions seemed to go from strong to very little in a matter of moments.
Biotherm held their advantage as the boats progressed out to the first mark of the inshore course, but it was all change soon after as they tacked too early, letting Team Malizia slip past them into the lead of the race.
And it went from bad to worse for Paul Meilhat and Biotherm thereafter as a breakage to the loop on their mainsail attachment saw them decide to suspend racing and head back to shore – but not before they had completed the in-port section of the start, so they wouldn’t have to re-do it when they once again take to the water.
‘We broke the loop’ – Paul Meilhat explains exactly what went wrong on Biotherm boat
Remarkable scenes followed as 11th Hour Racing Team then followed Biotherm in suspending racing, with their CEO Mark Towill revealing to Eurosport that they needed to head back to port to pick up some new mainsail wing tips.
‘They’re all on the wrong jibe!’ – Chaos at the start as Biotherm catch everyone out
“We actually have two spares on board, so we could make the repair, but that would leave us with no spares for the Southern Ocean,” Towill said.
Biotherm Racing take the early lead at the start of Leg 3 of The Ocean Race 2022-23.
Image credit: Other Agency
“So we’ll get the spares on board to be prepared for the long leg. This is the prudent thing to do.”
With two of the five boats struggling, it was up to Team Malizia to head the pack away from Table Bay, with Team Holcim-PRB in close pursuit and GUYOT Environnement-Team Europe a little further back.
With such inconsistent wind conditions, it remains to be seen how far ahead the three boats get before they are re-joined by the currently static 11th Hour Racing Team and Biotherm.
The Ocean Race – review of the drama so far, from drag race to fascinating duels
Biotherm are able to restart at 3.05pm UK time, and 11th Hour Racing Team at 3.07pm.
– – –
The Ocean Race
‘They’re all on the wrong jibe!’ – Chaos at the start as Biotherm catch everyone out
2 HOURS AGO
The Ocean Race
The big first question heading into Leg 3 of The Ocean Race
5 HOURS AGO
Read the full article Here
