Like Boris Herrmann in Team Malizia, skipper Rosalin Kuiper in Team Holcim-PRB will also be sitting out the first major Imoca race of the season. After the birth of her daughter Feise in December, the Dutchwoman wants to concentrate on her preparations for the Ocean Race Europe on land.
Skipper for Team Holcim-PRB: Nico Lunven
Rosalin Kuiper said: "Our training weeks have gone really well and the team is in great shape. To continue my return to peak form for the Ocean Race Europe, I'll be sitting out the Courses des Caps and supporting the team from shore. I can't wait to see how they do as we finalise everything for Kiel and beyond."
Vendée Globe sixth Nicolas "The Brain" Lunven will lead the team for Team Holcim-PRB. The former co-skipper and navigator of Boris Herrmann will be joined by Franck Cammas (France), Annemieke Bes (Netherlands), Alan Roberts (Great Britain) and on-board reporter Anne Beaugé in the new race, which is officially called Course des Caps Boulogne sur Mer Banque Populaire du Nord.
It takes its challengers from and to Boulogne-sur-Mer in five to eight days over around 2000 nautical miles around the British Isles. The race for Imoca quartets plus onboard reporters will start on 29 June 2025 with mixed crews. The Course des Caps is a qualifying race for the Vendée Globe 2028 and part of the Imoca Globe Series. The Imoca record for the circumnavigation of the British Isles is held by the crew of Artemis Team Endeavour skippered by Brian Thompson, who completed the course in 5 days, 14 hours and 54 seconds in 2014.
Seven trophies for the course of the cap
The competition factor increases at this premiere for the course of the cape the distribution of seven trophies at fixed waypoints. After the fleet has passed Bishop Rock on its way from Boulogne-sur-Mer, the infamous Fastnet Rock marks the first trophy finish in the current race. This is where the Custopol Yacht Club de France trophy is awarded.
The Groupe Scogal trophy awaits the best at Slyne Head at the westernmost point of County Galway, around twelve kilometres south-west of Dunloughn in Ireland. The Bermuda trophy awaits at Cap Wrath in northern Scotland, before the Vulnerable trophy is awarded at 60 degrees north at the northernmost point of the course. On the way back, the Club des Cent Cravates trophy awaits off the east coast of Great Britain at the uninhabited Farne Islands on the Northumberland coast and the Port Boulogne Calais trophy near Dover, before returning to the start and finish harbour, where the most important trophy for overall victory is awarded.
Team Holcim-PRB is ready for the British-influenced season opener. After several weeks of intensive preparation, the crew and everyone else is looking forward to getting back to racing. The Imoca "Holcim-PRB" has undergone a series of targeted upgrades following the Vendée Globe to optimise her for crewed sailing after Lunven's Vendée Globe solo. As with other teams, the course of the Cup serves to review the refit measures and further optimisation for the Ocean Race Europe.
Reunion with the Vendée Globe stars
On "Malizia - Seaexplorer", the Imoca and own fitness skipper Will Harris (Great Britain), the upcoming skipper Francesca Clapcich (Italy/USA), Cole Brauer (USA) and Julien Villion (France) will be checking. Flore Hartout is on duty as on-board reporter. In addition to Team Malizia and Holcim-PRB, Elodie Bonafous' new Imoca-Verdier rocket "Horizon 29", Charlie Dalin's Vendée Globe dominator "Macif Santé Prévoyance", Justine Mettraux' "Team Work - Team Snef", "Vulnerable", "Charal", "Initiatives Cœur" and three other Imocas are registered.
This is where Team Holcim-PRB presented its crew for the Ocean Race Europe. Four of the sailors as well as on-board reporter Anne Beaugé take on the Course des Caps:
