In the middle of the North Atlantic, the monohull record is being redefined on leg five of the Ocean Race. For eight years, the record of 618.01 nautical miles set by the centipede "Comanche" withstood all attacks. It has been history since 26 May at 8.30 a.m. German time. It is a much smaller Imoca that has set the new benchmark: Kevin Escoffier's "Holcim-At the halfway point of leg five on Thursday night, the "PRB" travelled an incredible 640.91 nautical miles over 24 hours.
The conditions are uniquely good right now. It's fun!" (Boris Herrmann)
Boris Herrmann's team Malizia has also stepped on the gas recently and also outperformed the "Comanche". With 620.94 nautical miles over 24 hours, the Malizians were able to reduce their gap to the US team 11th Hour Racing, which was handicapped after its collision, from almost 80 to 61 nautical miles. Team Holcim - PRB can almost feel the Americans breathing down their necks as they fear for their hard-earned lead: the leading "Mālama" and "Holcim - PRB" were separated by only four nautical miles at 11 o'clock on the morning of 26 May.
After days of battling in rough seas, Boris Herrmann describes the conditions in the current record-breaking race three days before the expected finish in Aarhus on 29 May as far less dramatic than recently. "The conditions right now are uniquely good. They are perfect for us. We hardly have to do anything to the boat and we can even sleep well. It's often more stressful at 18 knots."
In the end, I would like to look back on the Ocean Race and say that it was a good race." (Kevin Escoffier)
The "bucking" of the Imocas in particular was reduced in the record-favourable winds of 25 to 27 knots in less heavy seas. "That makes it fun! And we are now the second-fastest monohull in the world," reported Boris Herrmann from the sea. Kevin Escoffier and his crew also feel completely in their element at record speed. When Kevin Escoffier was asked for an assessment of his sport before the first starting shot in the Ocean Race, he had already summarised his preference: "Extreme! We live in extremes."
The 43-year-old from Saint-Malo has already competed in the Ocean Race twice and is the defending champion alongside Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier. He knows: "When you have completed the Ocean Race, you are tired. But you also take unforgettable experiences with you." Before the start of the race, Kevin Escoffier wanted three things: "Firstly, of course, I'm a competitor and I want a good result. Secondly, it's also a way to discover the new boat, optimise it and learn a lot. And thirdly, the race is a part of my life. I would like to look back on it at the end and think that it was a good race."
Which team will make the race to Aarhus?
So far, the Frenchman and his crew are ensuring that these goals could be realised. The race for overall victory has not yet been decided. Team Holcim - PRB leads the overall standings by just one point ahead of 11th Hour Racing and Team Malizia (both 18 points). The double scoring fifth leg is therefore of great importance for the outcome of the 14th Ocean Race.
