Holcim-PRB takes the lead on the road to Cape Town

Kevin Escoffier and his crew, Sam Goodchild, Tom Laperche, Susann Beucke and Georgia Schofield (OBR) appeared at the head of the fleet at 16:00 (French time). As the five IMOCA boats bypass the St. Helena High by sailing along the Brazilian coast, the battle is raging and the tactical game is in full swing. Last night was intense, with manoeuvres and adjustments being made on board Holcim-PRB in unstable trade winds. The crew didn't give up. They had to manage the squalls on board a boat that was reaching at high speed and be vigilant to be able to continue this road to the south without breaking something. "The weather conditions have strengthened overnight. We had some rain and we are working on our speed, to go as fast as possible" explains the skipper, Kevin Escoffier.

The main goal over the next few days is to maintain this southern course and place themselves strategically in preparation for a low pressure front that the fleet will have to deal with on Sunday evening. Only then will Kevin and the crew of Holcim-PRB be able to finally put some east in their route to Cape Town. While there are still 2,900nm to go, this 2nd Leg is far from being won, but the women and men of the GO CIRCULAR project are delighted to be back in good speed and to be in contact with the front of the fleet after a particularly slow passage of the equator.

On board the green and blue IMOCA, the heat is still overwhelming. Sam Goodchild laughs:

This second leg of The Ocean Race is definitely exciting! Life on board is settling down more definitively after a short first leg. The crews are playing at their best lever aboard IMOCA boats with impressive performance. Only Malizia seems to be penalized by foil problems. There are still 9 to 10 days left for Kevin and the whole team to hope making a difference and enter Cape Town Bay in 1st position.