From Rosalin Kuiper
I can hear the countdown clock ticking. In fact, it's ticking louder every day now. And that's how we feel too. The whole team feels it. We are positively excited. We start the first stage in a week! That means a lot to me. We've been preparing for the Ocean Race Europe for a long time. The team has changed a lot since the Vendée Globe. There's a new vibe. These are new things that we want to achieve together. The team is very, very good, talented and ready. I feel ready.
At the same time, I'm very calm. I'm usually calm before big events, but I also feel the butterflies in my stomach. There's this tingling in my chest, excitement and focus. We have worked very hard in all areas of our team. This applies to the communications team, the sustainability team, the technical team, the sailing team, the management team and our sponsors and partners. We have made great progress in all areas over the past year.
We have also been working on the interconnection between the individual teams to ensure that all areas work well together. That's where my responsibility comes in: making sure that all departments are running well, pulling in the same direction and that the overall picture gives a good return on investment for our partners.
Ocean Race Europe: the Kiel countdown week
We are now entering the last week of preparation before the start. There's a lot going on again: the boat has to arrive safely, we have the Ocean Summit on marine conservation in Kiel, the guest sailing and simply a very, very intensive week ahead of us. I see it as my challenge to ensure that we manage this week well and at the same time ensure that all sailors start the Ocean Race Europe well rested. Once we're on the boat, we're on the boat (laughs).
I have a lot of confidence in our preparation and our training. We work well together. We had a super-intensive six-week training block in May and June with overnight and multi-day missions, totalling 23 24/7 days on the water together. Then of course there's the work on board with the technical team. It's always a give and take, a fine balance between how many days you spend training with the team on the water and how many days you spend on land to make the boat better and better.
Our team is strong with Franck Cammas, Nicolas Lunven, Alan Roberts and Carolijn Brouwer. Franck Cammas is an absolutely legendary sailor. I get on very, very well with him. I've never met anyone who is as focussed on performance as he is. That's also his role in our team. He is the head of performance and works closely with the performance team, which analyses our boat 24/7. It's also about the data that we collect with the boat and compare with the designers' VPPs and our own targets. This allows us to constantly optimise the boat.
Winning mentality for Team Holcim-PRB
Franck brings a winning mentality. He brings an ultimate performance to our team. The moment he steps on the team base, you can feel that he brings change. I respect him a lot. From the moment he started sailing with us, we have gained a lot for our team. A lot of unnecessary things have come off the boat. I call him "Mister Light & Fast".
Then there's Nico. He knows this boat inside out, having raced it in the Vendée Globe 2024/2025. He is an excellent navigator, one of the best in the world, and brings a lot of experience to the team for the Ocean Race Europe. Nico ensures that the team continues to develop. It is very, very valuable to have him on the team.
Then we have Alan Roberts from England. Alan is involved in all areas, works closely with the technical team and is responsible for the sails. He led and coordinated the modifications. He is a very tolerant character, a good link between all the characters. Alan is very committed and enthusiastic. It's a pleasure to have him in the team.
Brouwer on board for the Ocean Race Europe
Then there is Carolijn Brouwer with her wide range of experience. She is a very good helmswoman. She has done the Ocean Race with Dongfeng and SCA and is an Olympic sailor. Imoca sailing is quite new to her. That's cool because she asks a lot of questions. That in turn sharpens the team's focus. She makes us question a lot of things again and see what we can optimise. She will take care of the trim and steer a lot in the Ocean Race Europe.
I see Allagrande Mapei Racing, Team Biotherm with a good boat and very good crew and Paprec Arkéa as the strongest competitors for our Holcim-PRB team in the Ocean Race Europe. I believe that they are very strong competitors. The overall level will be very high. I think it will be very close. We want to fight for victory in the Ocean Race Europe. We have a good boat for the European conditions and a very, very good crew.
Our goal is to win the race. And I believe we have the chance to do so." Rosalin Kuiper
When I look back on my own Imoca story so far, it was an incredible journey with Team Malizia in 2022 and 2023. It stays in my heart and I still speak to the team often, to Boris, Will, Holly... I'm in good contact with all of them. They are good friends. It's cool to be sailing against each other now. Against the boat I sailed around the world with, which I know pretty well.
Connection with the German fans
Of course you also compare, ask yourself what you would do at certain moments, which set-up you would choose here or there. It's just a different perspective. They are my friends, but it's also an extra motivation to do well. At the same time, I wish them a good Ocean Race Europe too.
I'm delighted that our European race is starting in Kiel. Kiel was one of my favourite ports in the Ocean Race around the world, even if it was only a fly-by at the time. There were a crazy amount of people on the shores and on the water. It was a huge spectacle! I feel very connected to Germany. I got so much support from the German fans during the Ocean Race. For me, it's almost as if I'm starting from my home country. I'm really looking forward to it!
I also believe that Kiel is close enough for the fans from Switzerland and the Netherlands. Many friends and my family are also coming to the start. I have a perhaps somewhat unusual personal wish for the Ocean Race Europe: I wish everyone an incredible time! My team, all the fans, the race, families, friends, girlfriends and also myself and my family.
A special wish for the Ocean Race Europe
I hope we will all enjoy the race! I feel very lucky that we have the freedom to sail a race. Especially in these times when there is so much going on all over the world. I am very grateful that we can do this. I hope that we all realise that we are lucky to be able to do this. Of course, I also hope that crews and boats stay healthy and in one piece. That everyone stays positive, in a good mood and in the right mindset to perform well.
Do I have a talisman with me? Yes, actually two! One is a small piece of wood that my sister once gave me when I started offshore sailing. I'm very superstitious. It also accompanied me around the world in the Ocean Race and is now in my sailing bag in Kiel for the Ocean Race Europe.
And I have something else new! I got this from my husband Coen and my baby on Friday. It's a very tiny book, not even as big as my thumb, maybe about five centimetres long, with photos. It's very light. I'll even take off the ring that's meant to be attached to my keys. And then I'll have it with me on the boat.
With family backing in the Ocean Race Europe
It contains photos from the last seven months: with the grandparents, the baby, my brother's baby, who is now five weeks old. They are very happy family moments. When I see the pictures, I realise how lucky I am to have such a supportive family around me. And I also realise that the faster we sail, the sooner I'll be back with my family.
The course for the Ocean Race Europe:
