The 14th Ocean Race is entering its final phase with increasing tension on the water. With a good 750 nautical miles to the Italian finish harbour, Paul Meilhat's French team Biotherm, the Swiss team Holcim - PRB and Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia fought a thrilling three-way battle for the final stage win. All three sailing Imocas were separated by just one and a half nautical miles seven days after the start. The showdown in Genoa is now within sight.
The second Gibraltar Passage symbolises well the race around the world that is coming to an end" (Boris Herrmann)
The Imoca trio has now slipped through the eye of the needle in the Strait of Gibraltar. For Boris Herrmann, this has completed a circle. "We had planned not to be more than 50 nautical miles behind the others after Gibraltar. In fact, it was only five. And that has now melted away. Passing the Strait of Gibraltar for the second time symbolises the race around the world coming to an end. It's a wonderful feeling for our crew," said the 42-year-old from Hamburg shortly before completing his Ocean Race premiere.
The Ocean Race fleet is still expected in Genoa between 27 and 28 June for the grand finale. The hearing of all teams on 11th Hour Racing's application for compensation following the collision with Team Guyot in The Hague is scheduled for 29 June in Genoa. The last harbour race will take place off Genoa on 1 July. It can only be a farewell gala with no sporting impact on the Ocean Race classification, as the decision on victory and placings in the 14th Ocean Race will be made at the green table for the first time in the 50-year history of the famous ocean marathon.
Orca attack on two VO65 yachts
While the Imoca crews were celebrating their final act and wrestling with each other in spectacular fashion, two VO65 yachts were attacked by orcas on Thursday. The VO65 teams were originally supposed to form a separate class for the race around the world, but a veritable fleet for the entire round-the-world race did not materialise. As a result, the programme for the initial six VO65 teams was shortened to just three legs. Only five VO65 yachts will take part in the final two legs.
Two of them have now been attacked by orcas. The frightening encounter with the killer whales took place on Thursday west of Gibraltar in the Atlantic. The teams affected were Jajo from Holland and Mirpuri Trifork Racing from Portugal. Both teams subsequently announced that there were no injuries or damage to the boat, although the orcas did crash into the boats and in one case also rammed the boat and bit into the oars.
More on the background to the orca attacks:
It was impressive to see the orcas. Beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team" (Jelmer van Beek)
Team Jajo's skipper Jelmer van Beek then reported from the sea: "20 minutes ago we were attacked by orcas. They came straight at us and hit the oars. It was impressive to see the orcas. Beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team." The sailing crew reacted calmly on board the VO65 yacht. "We lowered the sails and slowed the boat down as quickly as possible. Fortunately, after a few attacks, they retreated. That was a scary moment," said van Beek.
The area around Gibraltar, which the Imocas had just passed with Boris Herrmann's Malizia team on their seventh and final leg to the destination harbour of Genoa, is known for orca attacks on yachts. This involves a single orca or a group of killer whales ramming the hull or rudder of boats. In some cases, boats have been severely damaged. "At least three have already sunk", according to a statement from the Ocean Race organisers.
