The serious launch collision at The Ocean Race Europe has had greater consequences for Team Allagrande Mapei than initially anticipated. "It's a mixture of disappointment and pride," says Ambrogio Beccaria, 33, who is steering the Imoca 60 Allagrande Mapei for the first time. "Disappointment, of course, at the thought of having to retire so early. But also enormous pride at the way the team reacted immediately and threw themselves into the work with incredible energy. We are all relieved that nobody was injured, neither on board nor among our competitors. Our goal is now clear: to do everything we can to be at the start of the next stage. But we remain cautious: we still have to wait for the results of the inspection to know whether we can continue or whether our race ends here."
Support from other teams
The Allagrande Mapei team received support from all the other crews as well as from the organisation of The Ocean Race. With the support of Thomas Ryant's racing team TR Racing, the team organised itself as follows: Ambrogio Beccaria focused on the sporting aspects, Thomas Ruyant analysed different scenarios to reach Portsmouth in time for the start of the second leg, Morgan Lagravière and Manon Peyre supported the technical team with the sail repairs, while the rest of the shore crew focused on the structural repairs. Meanwhile, the logistics department is working to procure and deliver the necessary materials for the repairs.
Repairs in progress
There is considerable damage on board. The entire starboard shroud system, which supports the mast, is badly damaged. However, these cables can be replaced thanks to the support of the Paprec Arkéa team, which provides the D0 boom stay, the main shroud.
The boom has also been damaged and needs to be replaced. It will be provided by TR Racing's second boat, "Advens 1". These sophisticated carbon parts left Lorient this morning and are expected to arrive in Kiel tomorrow afternoon.
The pütting plate of the boom is another problem. It requires further inspection to assess the damage. This is one of the critical load points of the boat, where forces in excess of 30 tonnes are applied; the structural integrity of this area is critical to the mast and the boat. The damage assessment is ongoing, with ultrasonic analyses, inspections and checks carried out together with the boat designer Antoine Koch.
Genoa must be replaced
The sails set at the time of the collision were both damaged: the J0 (headsail) was destroyed on impact with the Holcim boom and cannot be repaired, it has to be replaced; the mainsail, which had a large tear, has already been repaired by the team in record time.
Formal protests have been lodged by both Team Holcim-PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing. These cases will be investigated and assessed by an international jury at a date to be determined.
