The Ocean Race: Three-way battle in the North Atlantic - "Bloody cold out here"

The day before, it was the other way around: the American leaders were able to constantly extend their lead in more favourable winds. Overnight, Team Malizia was able to significantly reduce the gap and had made up 14 nautical miles on Charlie Enright's "Mālama" by the morning of 24 May. The ocean race tide then turned again over the course of Wednesday morning. At 11 a.m. German time, 11th Hour Racing had a lead of just under 13 nautical miles over Team Holcim - PRB and 41 nautical miles on Team Malizia.

Like an accordion: the three-way battle at the top

"I think they just have a little less wind at the front. And we are coming in with more wind," Boris Herrmann explained the successful catch-up phase overnight early on Wednesday morning. The 41-year-old also described the tough conditions in the North Atlantic: "The water temperature here is currently only two degrees. It's damn cold out here." A little later, the "Mālama" from 11th Hour Racing pulled away again. However, the fastest boat at the time was "Malizia - Seaexplorer" with a speed of more than 19 knots compared to 18 knots for the two boats in front.

At sea, the action remains characterised by the three-way battle between the teams of Charlie Enright, Kevin Escoffier and Boris Herrmann. Opposing each other is an ambitious Frenchman with a chequered past. An American who finally wants to win after a long attempt. And a German with a desire to attack at his Ocean Race premiere. Everything indicates that Charly Enright, Kevin Escoffier and Boris Herrmann will be battling it out with their teams for victory in the 14th Ocean Race. The results of the current leg may have a decisive influence.

North Atlantic ride with Dream Teams

The oldest of the three skippers is leading the overall standings: 43-year-old Kevin Escoffier and Team Holcim - PRB are currently experiencing their successful comeback with a new mast on stage five of the Ocean Race. The Swiss team started the fifth leg of the Ocean Race with 19 points in their account. The chasers - the US team 11th Hour Racing and Team Malizia - have just one point less. This minimal gap and the pecking order could well be reversed in the event of success on the transatlantic leg, which is honoured with double points.

Kevin Escoffier has brought a dream team on board for the North Atlantic ride back to Europe. Defending champion and ultimate maestro Charles Caudrelier is on board. Sam Goodchild and record participant Abby Ehler, who is completing her fourth circumnavigation, complete the "Holcim - PRB" quartet.

11th Hour Racing sets the pace

The current stage leaders, on the other hand, are also competing with a prominent newcomer: Charly Enright has brought Imoca ace Charlie Dalin on board. Extremely experienced navigator Simon "Sifi" Fisher and Swiss rider Justine Mettraux will also ensure a high pace on board. Strengthened by the home win on stage four to Newport, 11th Hour Racing is currently setting the pace on the European course.

Skipper Charly Enright, 38-year-old Ocean Race endurance runner, finally wants to win the race around the world after two fifth places in the last decade. The Americans had the longest preparation time. However, broken equipment initially slowed them down in this 14th Ocean Race edition. With their first stage victory, they have now returned to their home port of Newport Krone. As the front runners, they are currently showing how serious they are about their attack.

Baltic Sea and Kattegat lurk at the end with final hurdles

In this three-way battle, Boris Herrmann relies on tried and tested team-mates. Co-skippers Will Harris, Rosalin Kuiper and Yann Eliès are competing with him for maximum points. Although they are currently only in third place in the opening phase, this Ocean Race stage still promises some exciting phases and a final sprint with various hurdles.

At the end of Ocean Race leg five, the north awaits via Great Britain, the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat. When approaching Aarhus - as the German double-handed classic Baltic 500 showed last weekend - you can expect anything. Including lulls, which have the potential to turn previously achieved positions upside down.

Rough! This was the start for Team Malizia in Ocean Race leg five:

Review: Here, the Imoca Globe Series and Ouest France recall the Newport episode in their YouTube series "Stopover":

Click here for the live tracker and the interim results.