The determination with which Charlie Enright and his team have acted since the stopover in Itajaí seems like their defiant response to the many setbacks before. The US team 11th Hour Racing had to contend with rudder tears, a broken mainsail and more technical problems on the Ocean Race Queen leg.
Despite the longest preparation time for the Ocean Race, the team, which had been co-favourites before the start of the race, dropped back to third place after three legs. The frustration was written all over Charlie Enright's face when he arrived in the Brazilian harbour.
11th Hour Racing on course for a comeback?
Now the comeback seems to be succeeding. In the harbour race off Itajaí last Friday, the Americans' Imoca looked light on its feet even in sticky conditions and light winds: "Mālama" won the sprint with aplomb ahead of "Biotherm" and "Malizia - Seaexplorer" and took the sole lead in the standings of all harbour races. Although these do not count directly for the race around the world, the final result can be of great importance for the final standings if two teams are tied on points after seven legs in the finish harbour of Genoa. In this case, the better position in the ranking of the short races counts.
Team 11th Hour Racing appears to be continuing its strong upward performance curve in the first few days of the current fourth leg. Two days after the start, Charlie Enright, navigator Simon "Sifi" Fisher, the experienced Damian Foxall and Francesca Clapcich are leading the fleet on course for Newport. In the South Atlantic, Kevin Escoffier's "Holcim - PRB" followed just under nine nautical miles behind on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of the Biotherm and Malizia teams. The comeback crew on "Guyot" initially found themselves more than 30 nautical miles behind in the game with the variable conditions.
Of fear, tears and resurrection
As the field sails up the Atlantic and heads towards the northern hemisphere, the Ocean Race film "Southern Ocean Stories" brings back memories of the royal stage. Boris Herrmann, Will Harris, Kevin Escoffier, Abby Ehler and other protagonists provide deep insights into the events on stage three and their emotional lives. Abby Ehler talks about her fear of the powerful Imocas on her fourth circumnavigation.
Boris Herrmann remembers his tears after discovering the crack in the mast of "Malizia - Seaexplorer". And he talks about the resurrection of his team. Will Harris talks about how brutal the race can be and says that faith is an important part of the Ocean Race challenge. The Brit's motto: "There's always a chance!"
What you take away from the Southern Ocean - regardless of the results - is worth more than any trophy." (Abby Ehler, Team Holcim - PRB)
Charlie Enright reports on anger and disbelief during his team's break in the Southern Ocean endurance test. And Abby Ehler recalls a quote from Muhammad Ali: "Don't count the days, make the days count." She made it her motto on her fourth circumnavigation and brilliantly mastered the third leg, which she initially did not want to sail.
Heaven and hell, hardships, tears and feelings of happiness: in the following clip, the Ocean Race protagonists look back on the royal stage ... The quarter-hour film is a must-see for fans!
Nico Lunven is recovering from his injury, all crews are fighting for the smallest of advantages: Here is the summary of the second day of the fourth stage:
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Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
