The Ocean Race: Team Malizia fights, "Guyot" risks the coastal counterattack
Tatjana Pokorny
· 19.01.2023
The top duel in the battle for the first stage win continues
Will Harris: "We enjoy the motorway to the south"
Behind them, Boris Herrmann's team Malizia is fighting for the best possible podium position in the opening leg of the opening leg of the 14th The Ocean Race, around 100 nautical miles behind the Escoffier team. Boris Herrmann's co-skipper Will Harris reported: "We had a few problems on board. But they are all solvable. We're actually enjoying the motorway south right now."
The latest video from on board the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" impressively shows the masses of water flying over the boats at speeds of 25 knots and more during the fleet's speed race.
The strategic decision on board "Guyot" is causing tension. The boats currently bringing up the rear of the fleet have decided not to chase the leaders. Instead, skipper Benjamin Dutreux, co-skipper Robert Stanjek, Annie Lush and Phillip Kasüske are making their way closer to the African coast and through the Canary Islands. They are hoping that this will give them a fast ride to the south and an opportunity to counterattack. The fact that they are 185 nautical miles behind the leaders has certainly fuelled their decision to take a risk.
Setbacks for Team Guyot: "Blackout" and breakage on board
Technically, the "Guyot" team had to overcome a few struggles in the first four days. The "blackout" after the first night at sea had paralysed the most important compass, which initially could not be restarted. This resulted in performance disadvantages. The tear in the mainsail between the second and third reef did not make life any easier for the sailing quartet either. In addition, the two top mainsail battens were broken. The team sawed two new ones from a long replacement batten. In the meantime, the tear in the main has also been mended.
