After second place in the Ocean Race that has just ended, Team Holcim - PRB presented its new management duo on 14 September: the new skipper Nicolas "The Brain" Lunven and his co-skipper, the Dutch sailor Rosalin Kuiper. Following their successful Ocean Race campaign with Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia, the duo is now coming together again in the new team colours of Holcim - PRB.
Nicolas Lunven is to head for the goals of the Holcim PRB project as chief skipper for the Vendée Globe 2024, while Rosalin Kuiper is to accompany him as co-skipper and further expand her offshore experience. Her goal is to lead the Swiss team in the Ocean Race Europe 2025. With this innovative project, Holcim - PRB is reaffirming its long-term commitment to sailing.
It is of course a great honour that I have been chosen to lead this team" (Nico Lunven)
Nicolas Lunven's prominent involvement in the tail water of Kevin Escoffier Lunven has a long-term goal: to take part in the Vendée Globe, which he will then compete against his ocean race skipper Boris Herrmann. As an accomplished navigator and highly experienced ocean sailor, Lunven has all the relevant qualifications for a solo race around the world. For the Frenchman himself, the commitment is a dream come true: after two victories in La Solitaire du Figaro (2009, 2017) and three participations in The Ocean Race, Lunven himself will now take command of one of the fastest and most reliable Imocas in the Vendée Globe and Ocean Race class.
Lunven said: "It is of course a great honour that I have been chosen to lead this team. My dream of taking part in the Vendée Globe is now becoming a reality. It is very special to do this with Holcim - PRB, a company and a team that match my high ambitions. We are fully aligned, both in terms of sailing and in terms of the values that protect our oceans and our planet. It's exciting to be part of this new chapter. We will do everything we can to write a beautiful story during this Vendée Globe."
At the side of Nico Lunven: Kuiper continues his career in new team colours
After taking part in the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, Fastnet Race, Middle Sea Race and the Caribbean 600, Rosalin Kuiper is best known as Boris Herrmann's co-skipper in the Ocean Race. The Dutchwoman was the only female sailor to complete all the legs. Building on this experience, Rosie Kuiper wants to further develop her skills and learn from Lunven's broad expertise in terms of weather, training and performance. Her medium-term goal is to build a crew for the upcoming Ocean Race Europe in 2025.
Rosalin Kuiper sees her commitment to Team Holcim - PRB as an exciting opportunity: "All my experiences on board Imoca boats have only strengthened my desire to develop in this environment. It's fabulous that Nicolas is my guide on this adventure. He is very impressive and I can learn a lot from him. We had a great time on board the 'Malizia' and it's great to be part of the Holcim - PRB team now."
Lunven wants to promote Rosie Kuiper
The "flowers" came straight back from Nico Lunven. The quiet and clever Frenchman said: "Rosalin is a great young sailor who wants to learn and develop an incredible amount. I have seen her progress during our time with Team Malizia: She really is a sailor who can perform well. We will be working closely together on this next adventure. I hope I can pass on some of my knowledge of route planning and weather to her so that she can be an excellent skipper in 2025."
Boris Herrmann, who is currently training with Will Harris and the Pôle Finistère for the Transat Jacques Vabre in Breton waters between Port-la-Forêt and Lorient, leaves his two companions with good feelings, wishing them luck and success on their new course.
Nico will certainly be a strong competitor!" (Boris Herrmann)
The 42-year-old from Hamburg said: "I am very happy for Nico that he has found a project for the Vendée Globe and will finally take part in this legendary race. I know how much this means to him. He will certainly be a strong competitor! It's a fantastic opportunity for Rosalin too, and although I already miss sailing with them, I'm really looking forward to competing against them on the water. I wish them both the best of luck on their next adventures."
