For The Ocean Race organisers, Escoffier's official confirmation of the intention to start, which has long been known in sailing circles, is very good news. At least five Imocas will now be on the starting line of the world's most famous crewed circumnavigation. "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper Boris Herrmann, who actively supported Escoffier's team, is delighted with the now veritable fleet: "These are all super boats. Almost all of them are the latest generation of boats. They can all compete with each other on an equal footing. It has developed well and I think we can expect a great and exciting race. And who knows what's still to come. You're never immune to surprises..."
Alongside Herrmann's Team Malizia and Kevin Escoffier's Team Holcim - PRB, Paul Meilhat's Team Biotherm, Charlie Enright's Team 11th Hour Racing and the French-German Guyot Environment - Team Europe will be fighting for victory and top placings in the 14th edition of the classic in the Imoca class of The Ocean Race. The latter is characterised by the French-German cooperation skipper Benjamin Dutroux, the Berlin co-skipper Robert Stanjek as well as Phillip Kasüske and Annie Lush from Offshore Team Germany. In its 14th edition since its premiere in 1973/1974, The Ocean Race will be held in two classes. In addition to the Imocas, the well-known VO65 yachts will also be competing.
The Imoca class provides an overview of its top teams here taking part in the 14th The Ocean Race. Will five be the last word?
After his brutal Vendée Globe accident, 42-year-old high-flyer Kevin Escoffier, who only sailed his first Imoca solo in 2020, wants nothing less than a successful The Ocean Race without a breakage. The first of only three messages that Escoffier was able to send between the breakage and leaving the yacht remains unforgettable: "I'm sinking. This is no joke. Mayday!" The film about the rescue - in French - is to see here.
Escoffier has already competed in the Ocean Race himself twice alongside Charles Caudrelier and also won the second time. "I love this race. Especially because it is contested by teams." The French team had already finished building the new boat in the spring. In the Breton sailing cradle La Base in Lorient, it has now been ceremoniously launched once again in its new colour scheme created for The Ocean Race. This is exactly where Boris Herrmann's team presented the new "Malizia - Seaexplorer" on 19 July. Escoffier's team has now announced: "What a day! Team Holcim - PRB launched the boat in its new colours this afternoon. It's the start of a new adventure for Kevin and the whole team." The fact that some superstitious sailors associate the colour green in sailing with impending misfortune has obviously not impressed Escoffier's team. The Imoca wears an eye-catching grass green and sky blue dress and promotes the circular economy with the slogan "Go Circular". "A beautiful beast," one fan commented on the look on social media.
Reliability and all-round qualities are in demand
Escoffier's new yacht is the sixth Imoca in the sailing history of sponsor PRB. Escoffier says: "It is an honour to be able to sail for PRB." Escoffier had already been given the go-ahead by PRB President Jean-Jacques Laurent when he was still overjoyed to be on board with his rescuer Jean Le Cam shortly after the dramatic accident. Guillaume Verdier is responsible for the lines of the new Imoca. For Escoffier, versatility and reliability were decisive factors in the design. To this end, Verdier's plan was significantly modified. Escoffier did not want "a typical Vendée Globe boat" because, in his view, there are no predictable, recurring conditions. His boat should be characterised by the fact that he can move the Imoca optimally regardless of the prevailing conditions. A philosophy that comes very close to that of Boris Herrmann.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
