Team Holcim's new plan - Three days after the mast breakage in the early morning of 27 April, PRB is planning a comeback for the double-rated fifth leg from Newport across the Atlantic to Aarhus in Denmark.
The comeback plan for the current fourth stage was announced by "Holcim - PRB" skipper Kevin Escoffier announced shortly after arriving in Rio de Janeiro. Prior to this, the sailors and their shore crew had explored all options for a possible return to the current race. However, every idea always resulted in only one answer after precise calculations: there is not enough time to reach the next stage harbour of Newport in time for the start of the double-rated fifth stage to Aarhus.
We want to keep our chance of overall victory." (Kevin Escoffier)
The Swiss team Holcim - PRB has now adjusted its plans accordingly. According to Escoffier, this is the only way to achieve the goal of heading for overall victory in the Ocean Race. "We want to keep this chance," said the driver in Brazil. After an outstanding performance in the first three legs, his team is still well ahead in the overall standings with 19 out of a possible 20 points. They are followed by Team Malizia (14 points) and 11th Hour Racing (13 points). Depending on the outcome of the fourth stage - after just under a week, 11th Hour Racing is ahead of Team Malizia on stage four - all three teams could be almost level before the start of the fifth stage of the Transat.
"It's a very difficult decision, but common sense was the deciding factor," said Escoffier. He continued: "Since we broke the mast, the whole team has focussed on finding the best solutions so that we can make a solid return to the competition. By re-entering this fourth leg, we could pick up a point, but not arrive in time to be at the start of the next leg in Newport."
"The sporting value of the fifth stage is very high"
On the flipside of the mind game, stage five is the second and last double scored stage of the seven stages of the round the world race. Escoffier explains: "The sporting value of the fifth leg is very high. We want to show our best side on this leg, which counts double. We definitely want to achieve victory in this round-the-world race. Given the premise, this is the best decision we can make."
With the support of GAC Pindar, the official logistics provider of the Ocean Race, Team Holcim - PRB had previously explored numerous options to get a mast from Europe to the boat in Rio or to Newport. Today, the team has decided that Newport is the most realistic option.
"Holcim - PRB" goes to Newport by freighter
In a statement, Team Holcim - PRB explained that the members of the shore crew are preparing the Imoca for loading onto a cargo ship with the help of the sailors. The ship could leave for Newport as early as Tuesday. A transport time of 16 days at sea has been calculated for the route to the US port of Newport. At the same time, the replacement mast will be loaded onto another cargo ship on the other side of the Atlantic. The crossing will only take seven days. The new mast could be unloaded in Newport as early as 9 or 10 May.
According to the team, the racing yacht "Holcim - PRB" will reach Newport on 18 May in the best-case scenario. The team will then only have around 48 hours to rig the boat and prepare it for the important leg to Europe. Experts believe that this will be an achievable task if the transport times can be adhered to. "I know that everyone is united so that we can be in Newport on time," said Escoffier. "I have full confidence in my team to overcome this challenge together."
"Unstoppable": Team Holcim - PRB does not give up
These days, the team is often reminded of their team song "Unstoppable" by Sia, which accompanies them throughout their mammoth task. Escoffier said: "We are receiving so many messages of support, and that is a great incentive. Our partners are also fully behind us and, like us, are showing incredible determination."
The 43-year-old from Saint-Malo, who was still cautiously enthusiastic before the start of the 14th The Ocean Race, seems more determined than ever: "I only have one wish: to continue this magical race. In Newport, at the start of the fifth leg, it is possible that we will still be leading the overall standings. Mechanical failures are part of our sport, we accept them. The next stage will be crucial for the rest of the race and we are looking forward to giving our best, as we have done so far."
Who is leading before the start of stage 5?
However, Escoffier's theory for the defence of the overall lead will only work if the fleet finishes as it is currently sailing: 11th Hour Racing ahead of Team Malizia. If Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia wins the fourth leg with leg skipper Will Harris, the German boat could knock the Swiss team off the top spot before the start of the fifth leg. In the event of a tie on points, the ranking in the harbour race classification would be the deciding factor. Here, Team Malizia is in second place with 13 points, well ahead of Team Holcim - PRB, which is in fourth place with seven points.
