Ocean Race Europe: Rosalin Kuiper introduces star crew - "We are here to win"

For a long time, the question was when and with whom Ocean Race winner Carolijn Brouwer (51) would celebrate her comeback to sailing. Now it's clear: the "Flying Dutchwoman", who was the first woman to win the Ocean Race with Charles Caudrelier alongside Marie Riou and Justine Mettraux, will be competing in the Ocean Race Europe on "Holcim-PRB" - alongside skipper and compatriot Rosalin Kuiper!

Wow crew with two "Flying Dutchwomen"

It is no surprise that Nico Lunven (42) is also competing in the Ocean Race Europe as part of Rosalin Kuiper's team. The likeable and smart Frenchman, nicknamed "The Brain", has already competed in a strong Vendée Globe as a soloist for Team Holcim-PRB. He came sixth on his debut. Now he is bringing his experience and navigational expertise to the European team competition.

Briton Alan Roberts (35) also joins the team with a wealth of experience: he first made a name for himself on the Figaro race course before gradually conquering the Imoca world. Many Vendée Globe fans will remember him as co-commentator for TV presenter Andi Robertson, Roberts first competed in the Ocean Race 2022/2023 on Paul Meilhat's "Biotherm" and supported Clarisse Crémer as co-skipper on "L'Occitane en Provence" in the following years.

With Franck Cammas (52), another XL portion of experience, coaching qualities and a high level of technical design understanding will flow into the renowned crew. Whether Ocean Race, SailGP, America's Cup or Jules Verne Tropy - Cammas masters the entire repertoire of professional sport and strengthens Rosalin Kuiper's crew on "Holcim-PRB" as a capacity. This means that a total of five players make up the sailing team under the Swiss flag of the racing team owners. They will rotate accordingly, as only four sailors plus onboard reporters are required for each leg.

Ocean Race Europe: The youngest is the skipper

At the age of 29, skipper Rosalin Kuiper is a young mother and the youngest in the sailing quintet for Team Holcim-PRB. The former co-skipper of Boris Herrmann in The Ocean Race 2023 commented on the finalised line-up, particularly with regard to its strength: "Our strength is definitely our diversity. Every crew member is fully committed to our joint success. With five stages, the race will be particularly intense. Everyone will play a key role in achieving our goal."

I can say without hesitation that we sail with some of the best in the world." Rosalin Kuiper

The Dutchwoman makes no secret of her team's ambitious goals: "I have full confidence in this team and in our boat. We have Imoca specialists, sailors with great experience in crew racing and international profiles. Our goal is clear: we are here to win. That is why we have optimised the boat and put together the best performing team possible both at sea and on land. I am very proud of everything the team has achieved."

Rosalin Kuiper recently reflected on her role in an open letter published online by YACHT. With an average crew age of almost 42 years, Team Holcim-PRB has an extremely broad range of experience. The starting signal for the Ocean Race Europe will be given on 10 August in Kiel. Confirmed for the race so far are Boris Herrmanns Team Malizia, Team Holcim-PRB, Yoann Richommes Team Paprec Arkéa, Ambrogio Beccarias Team Allagrande Mapei Racing and Scott Shawyer's Be Water Positive Sailing Team.

The field for the Ocean Race: small but mighty

Two other teams are still unnamed on the entry list. Everything points to a manageable but very strong field. The little sister of the most important team circumnavigation of the world, The Ocean Race, will lead its challengers from Kiel via Portsmouth, Cartagena, Nice and Genoa to the destination harbour of Boka Bay in Montenegro.

The Ocean Race Europe starts in Kiel: