The Ocean Race 2023: Holcim-PRB lead as pack slows heading south, ahead of Team Malizia and Biotherm

While the VO65 class are leading the way towards Cape Finisterre and the west coast of Portugal, Holcim-PRB lead the IMOCAs.

However, that effort from Holcim-PRB and their rivals is being made tougher by a paucity of strong wins, with speeds often under 10 knots.

The conundrum they face is whether or not to stray from the shortest route to their destination in favour of looking to make up a longer distance with more wind assistance.

“It’s looking very quiet, not so much wind… very slow,” was the succinct summary from Nico Lunven on Team Malizia, who are currently third.

Yoann Richomme, navigating for Team Holcim-PRB said: “We are in the middle of the Bay of Biscay, going west – west!! – to get away from some light winds between France and Spain.

“Then we are going to try to go down south along the coast of Portugal. It will be light this afternoon, then a little bit windier as we turn south to go down but then Portugal looks very, very light.

“Right now we’re slow. It’s not looking good. Biotherm is about 55 miles north, but we could lose quite a bit today I reckon. We have a bit of an advantage but I think the next hours and days will be very tricky.”

The problem persists for the VO65s, too, with Aksel Magdahl, navigating for WindWhisper Racing Team, explaining: “We chose to go quite far west to chase the remains of a low pressure system.

“Fortunately, the fleet has more or less followed us which makes it more straightforward.”

Having finally left The Hague on Sunday evening, the team is hoping to arrive in Italy with enough time to take part in the In-Port Race.

“We are very tight on time but we will do everything we can to get to Genova to join the rest of the fleet for the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race,” said skipper Charlie Enright.

“We want to be there in time for the start of the In-Port Race on July 1, to give us the opportunity to compete in, and win, the In-Port Race Series. It’s a race-within-a-race, and the countdown is now on.”