Maximum concentration on board Holcim-PRB for a very special Leg 6
At 18:15 today, the IMOCA fleet of The Ocean Race will leave Aarhus for The Hague in the Netherlands, via a turning buoy in front of Kiel in Germany.
The five monohulls are about to set sail on the shortest leg of the round-the-world race, which could also prove to be the most epic! These 800 miles, sailed as close to the coast as possible, are likely to be decisive for the final victory.
Just one point behind the leaders of 11th Hour Racing Team, the Holcim-PRB crew are approaching this Leg 6 with determination and a great deal of concentration. Benjamin Schwartz, who is taking on the role of skipper of an IMOCA boat for the first time, knows that this state of mind must not leave them during the three days of racing ahead. Holcim-PRB is about to embark on a high-tension leg, in which tactics will take precedence over strategy. The fleet will first head south to round a buoy at the head of Kiel Bay in Germany, before heading north again to round Denmark and begin a descent towards the Netherlands. The race will take place in restricted sailing areas, sometimes even in corridors, and the constant proximity of the coast will add a great deal of uncertainty to the IMOCA boats' progress.
Alongside Yoann Richomme and Martin Le Pape, Benjamin Schwartz will be looking after the navigation. And that's no mean feat. Together, they have entered over 150 virtual points that determine the exclusion zones for navigation. Maritime traffic, wind farms, sandbanks... all constitute prohibited or dangerous areas for 60-footers. And on this route between Aarhus and The Hague, there are an incredible number of them! This will be one of the major points of vigilance, because if a forbidden zone is crossed, you run the risk of taking a penalty.
I've got the impression that half the navigation will be done before the start, because you have to make sure you don't make any mistakes in reading the course and entering waypoints, locating sandbanks, islands and forbidden zones. We need to be precise in this exercise, so we’re doing it together with Ben and Martin.
Not only will we have to find our way around these traps without making the slightest mistake, but we'll also have to make the most of the numerous wind variations expected on the course. Linking up maneuvers and choosing the right sails will also be key, first in light airs, then in crosswind conditions and flat seas, which could make it easier for the boat to fly. "Weather options are secondary on this leg. It's mainly going to be a question of speed: making the right sail choices, the right maneuvers at the right time.
To achieve this, the three crew members, all from the Figaro circuit, will rely on the experience of Abby Ehler, who is taking part in the race for the 4th time aboard Holcim-PRB. The British sailor, who has a wealth of round-the-world experience, has the serenity of a wise woman, and has her sights set on continuing the performance work carried out since the start in Alicante. On board, for this Leg 6, she brings a little more confidence to Benjamin, Martin and Yoann. Yoann describes her as "the boss » in a big burst of laughter, testifying to the team spirit that reigns between the four sailors, even though they still know very little about each other.
Having three Figaro sailors who know how to push very hard in terms of tiredness, and who are always fully committed to navigation and performance, is going to be a plus. On top of that, we have Abby, who's going to play a key role on board. She knows the boat and the maneuvers extremely well. She's had a lot of experience with some of Holcim-PRB's settings, and I think we'd be in a much worse position without her. Having her on board is also a reassurance for us.
Together, they take up the challenge of a tricky leg, a must for regaining first place in the overall ranking. The finish is scheduled for Sunday in The Hague. Georgia Schofield will be the on-board reporter on this leg, and should share some fabulous footage.
