The Dutch patron Jelmer van Beek, who counts on his crew with the Spanish Simbad Quiroga, led his team to cross the finish line at 17: 52: 52 UTC, stopping the horn at the end in 6 days, 4 hours, 52 minutes and 52 seconds

While Paul Meilhat's Biotherm (fourth) and the GUYOT environnement - Team Europe by Benjamin Dutreux (fifth) completed the IMOCA classification at night, the Dutch JAJO Team won a solid second place in The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint, behind the Polish WindWhisper Racing Team that had completed an impressive victory in the VO65 class on Saturday.

With the first two positions decided, it seemed that the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team would take the third place. But as the team approached Mindelo, he announced that he would withdraw from Stage One after he had skipped a buoy from the tour in the Strait of Gibraltar.

The fans who usually follow the tracker will remember that the ship of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team drew a direction south towards an exclusion zone, which was also pointed out with a beacon as part of the stage tour.

In an official statement, the team said, "technical problems on board caused us not to leave the South Gibraltar Exclusion Zone as directed by race. As we have skipped a beacon of the tour, the team has decided to withdraw from the first stage of The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint 2023."

The retreat opened the podium door to the Austrian Ocean Racing Powered by Team Genoa, who was the last team to sign up for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint and arrived at the exit port of Alicante just a few days before the start of the event.

The fourth VO65 to finish was the Lithuanian flag Ambersail 2, which arrived on Sunday morning.

That leaves Viva Mexico as the only team still in competition. The patron Erik Brockmann and his team, including the Spanish Chuny and Carlos Bermudez de Castro and Jaime Arbones, are still 600 miles from Cape Verde after stopping in the Spanish port of Almería to change their major candle after a break.

IMOCA
1.Team Holcim-PRB, winner of the first stage, finished - 5d 11h 01m 59s
2.11th Hour Racing Team, finished - 5d 13h 50m 45s
3.Team Malizia, finished - 5d 16h 35m 21s
4.Biotherm, finished - 6d 8h 47m
5.GUYOT Environnement - Team Europe, finished - 6d 12h 20m 37s

VO65
1. WindWhisper Racing, finished, 5 days 16 h 35 m 21 s
2. Team JAJO, finished, 6 days 4 h 52 m 52 s
3. Austrian Ocean Racing - Team Genova, finished, 6d 19h 13m 54s
4. Ambersail 2, finished, 6d 21h 49m 04s
5. Viva Mexico, 690.7 miles to the leader
6. Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team - Retiro

2023-01-22: The Ocean Race: WindWhisper Racing Team with three Spanish leader in VO65

The Polish ship, patrolled by Pablo Arrarte and with Ñeti Cuervas Mons and Willy Altadill in its ranks, crossed the finish line ahead of Team JAJO of Simbad Quiroga

Pablo Arararte, one of the strongest veterans in The Ocean Race, has led his team to victory in the first stage of The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint.

The team had to fight hard in the first 48 hours of the stage to escape the brutal conditions of the Mediterranean with an advantage that it could expand and protect in the fast and wind conditions in favor of the Atlantic.

VO65 classifications
1. WindWhisper Racing, finished, 5d 16h 35min 21s
2. JAJO Team, 32.6 miles for arrival
3. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 61.4 miles to the leader
4. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 152.1 miles to the leader
5. Ambersail 2, 221.7 miles to the leader
6. Viva Mexico, 846.2 miles to the leader

2023-01-21: The head of the Ocean Race fleet in Cape Verde... Team Holcim-PRB the first

Team Holcim-PRB arrives in Cape Verde and wins the first stage of The Ocean Race

The French patron Kevin Escoffier has led the Swiss-flag Team Holcim-PRB to win the first stage of The Ocean Race 2022-23 in the morning of this Saturday.

His victory was the end of an intense and challenging start of The Ocean Race, which housed from hard-dyed against stormy winds in the Mediterranean to fast down with Atlantic-bearing winds and various tactical options around the Canary Islands.

Team Holcim-PRB took the lead just before the Strait of Gibraltar and held it for the rest of the journey despite the strong momentum of the 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia.

Finally, early on Saturday, Escoffier and his crew crossed the finish line in the waters of Mindelo (Cape Verde) at 02: 01: 59 UTC, culminating in an impressive performance in the first stage of the race.

The second to cross the finish line was the 11th Hour Racing Team by Charlie Enright, who resisted a last Team Malizia attack on the last day of the stage.

The first three IMOCA ended in five and a half hours. The Biotherm and GUYOT environnement-Team Europe are expected to reach Mindelo on Saturday afternoon.

In the VO65 class, the Polish WindWhisper Racing Team, with Pablo Arrarte's pattern, is in a strong position at the front of the fleet ahead of Team JAJO and the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team The three should arrive on Saturday afternoon, with the Austrian Ocean Racing Team Genova, the Ambersail 2 and the Viva Mexico a little longer.

IMOCA
1. Team Holcim-PRB, stage winner 1 - 5d 11h 01min 59s
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, finished - 5d 13h 50min 45s
3. Team Malizia, finished - 5d 16h 35min 21s
4. Biotherm, 219.3 miles to meta
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 51.7 miles to finish

VO65
1. WindWhisper Racing Team, 125.0 miles to finish
2. Team JAJO, 50.4 miles to the leader
3. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 134.7 miles to the leader
4. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 181.3 miles to the leader
5. Ambersail 2, 211.9 miles to the leader
6. Viva Mexico, 842.8 miles to the leader

2023-01-20: The Ocean Race fleet... already very close to Cape Verde, will enter at dawn

Similar battle at the front of the two fleets of The Ocean Race as leaders fly to Cape Verde

The winning IMOCA is expected to end around midnight GMT in Cape Verde; Team Holcim-PRB keeps the speed and control in front of the fleet.

But there are still some movements in the chamber, as the leading trio, which includes the 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia, is moving fast towards the finish line. Each maneuver carries a certain risk of losing miles over rivals or positioning the ship in an unfavourable wind change.

Behind the leader trio, the Biotherm and the GUYOT environment - Team Europe, are matched between 8 and 10 hours behind the leaders, with Paul Meilhat's Biotherm leading his particular duel.

The VO65 are living a similar story, with the WindWhisper Racing Team in a solid lead ahead of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team and the JAJO Team, who are probably dealing with an intense fight for the second place to the end. The latest projections reflect the arrival of VO65 leaders in Cape Verde on Saturday afternoon.

IMOCA
1. Team Holcim-PRB, 250.4 miles to finish
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, 36.1 miles to the leader
3. Team Malizia, 49.3 miles to the leader
4. Biotherm, 209.4 miles to the leader
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 284.4 miles to the leader

VO65
1. WindWhisper Racing, 423.6 miles to finish
2. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 29.7 miles to the leader
3. Team JAJO, 51.5 miles to the leader
4. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 106.4 miles to the leader
5. Ambersail 2, 128.5 miles to the leader
6. Viva Mexico, 795.4 miles to the leader

2023-01-19: The Ocean Race: IMOCA and VO65 just over 500 miles from arrival

Both fleets, IMOCA and V065, approach the first-stage finish line in Cape Verde

The first IMOCA participants in The Ocean Race are expected to arrive in Cape Verde between the night of Friday and Saturday morning, while the fleet devours miles on its particular highway to the south. Sailing fast and putting forward the goal is a great feeling.

The IMOCA and VO65 fleets have passed through the Canary Islands. Now, it's just a matter of crossing the line of arrival.

In the VO65 fleet, the three best teams are in 40 miles, with the WindWhisper as the leader ahead of Team JAJO and the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team.

The Wind Whisper preceded the JAJO Team that was ripping between the islands, while the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team chose to pursue the first IMOCA to the west of the islands, in search of fast navigation in favor of the wind.

The leading trio will arrive in Cape Verde on Saturday, with the Austrian Ocean Racing powered by Team Genoa and the Ambersail 2 several hours behind. Viva Mexico is already in the Atlantic, after its stop in Almería to replace the damaged major candle, but more than 750 miles back.

IMOCA
1. Team Holcim-PRB, 565.5 miles for the goal
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, 49.2 miles to the leader
3. Team Malizia, 102.6 miles to the leader
4. Biotherm, 185.8 miles to the leader
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 221.4 miles to the leader

VO65
1. WindWhisper Racing, 694.9 miles to the target
2. Team JAJO, 31.1 miles to the leader
3. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 39.3 miles to the leader
4. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 106.3 miles to the leader
5. Ambersail 2, 152.7 miles to the leader
6. Viva Mexico, 767.1 miles to the leader

2023-01-18: IMOCA impose their highest speed with Cape Verde less than a thousand miles

The crews leave the Mediterranean and enter the Atlantic after two days with strenuous conditions...

The Swiss team Holcim-PRB remains at the head of the IMOCA fleet this Wednesday, in which the five bulldozers mark a fast pace with the bow pointing directly towards Cape Verde. Head teams are completing more than 500 miles per day when they are only 992 miles from the finish line in Cape Verde.

Free from the limitations of the Mediterranean, the ships are ready to sail from a sling. IMOCA are designed to stand out in these conditions and the miles to the finish line fade aboard.

Kevin Escoffier's Holcim-PRB keeps at bay the 11th Hour Racing Team in its particular battle for the lead, while Boris Herrmann's Malizia Team is located further east and closer to the direct route... in the battle for The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint, the WindWhisper Racing Team, the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team and the JAJO Team are fighting for the lead and maintain the rhythm of the IMOCAs going fourth and fifth place... the VO65 are expected to reach the Green Day on Saturday (Cape Verde)

IMOCA
1. Team Holcim-PRB, 992.5 miles for the goal
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, 17.8 miles to the leader
3. Team Malizia, 75.6 miles to the leader
4. Biotherm, 107.0 miles to the leader
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 139.7 miles to the leader

VO65
1.WindWhisper Racing, 1100.4 miles to finish
2.Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 22.6 miles to the leader
3.Team JAJO, 31.2 miles to the leader
4.Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 66.0 miles to the leader
5.Ambersail 2, 107.1 miles to the leader
6. Viva Mexico, 574.4 miles to the leader

2023-01-17: The Ocean Race 1500 miles from Cape Verde facing harsh conditions

The crews leave the Mediterranean and enter the Atlantic after two days with strenuous conditions...

The second day of The Ocean Race led the fleet to search for quieter waters near the Spanish coast to avoid the worst of the brutal wind and wave conditions they have suffered before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar and leaving the Atlantic.

Achieving the right balance was not an easy task. The 11th Hour Racing Team and its closest rival, the Holcim-PRB were heading west when they were involved in a round duel. Charlie Enright's crew, which he was leading, was under pressure to defend his position and at the same time define the best borders along the coast.

Turn to turn, throughout the night, Kevin Escoffier's team was cutting the advantage of the 11th Hour Racing Team, reducing the distance hour after hour.

The key moment would occur in the early hours of the day, when the Holcim-PRB first turned to starboard. Soon after, the wind rolled slightly north, giving it a small but crucial advantage. When Enright's crew turned, he was behind Escoffier as they approached Gibraltar.

Reaching the Strait first, at 0400 UTC, gave a certain advantage to the Holcim-PRB. Nine turns and three hours later emerged in the Atlantic. The 11th Hour Racing of Enright had chased them hard and after 13 turns, they also left to the west.

From here on, the weather forecasts of the Race Control in Alicante suggested that the first classified could benefit from a further north route before taking the north wind that leds would arrive in the first part of the down south to Cape Verde. And when the couple of heads went along the Spanish coast, this seemed to be their strategy.

The tactics of the Holcim-PRB had worked, but now they suffered damage to the major candle, which had been scratched near the grativa after the broom fist of the foque pierced the candle during a turn. Fortunately, the somewhat more stable conditions in the Atlantic gave them the opportunity to repair it.

In the classification, the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team occupies the fourth place, but during its passage through the Strait it seems that they have sailed within the area of exclusion of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), against the navigation instructions, which could end in sending their journey to the Jury for assessment and possible punishment.

Right in front of them, the Austria Ocean Racing Powered by Team Genova was second, Team JAJO was third and AmberSail 2 was fifth. "We are about to leave the Strait of Gibraltar," said the message of Rokas Milevičius, patron of Ambersail 2. "It's been a very intense day. The team has a great desire to sail the Atlantic, because it has not been much fun. It has been wet, cold and full of blows."

Viva Mexico was still in Almería after stopping there for a break in its major candle. The team is working to rejoin the race as soon as possible, but is trapped in the port with winds close to 40 knots and thick sea. Current ETAs (estimated time of arrival) predict the arrival of IMOCA during the afternoon of Friday (local time), and VO65 with less than 24 hours delay.

IMOCA
1. Team Holcim-PRB, 1465.4 miles to the goal
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, 24.6 miles to the leader
3. Team Malizia, 46.0 miles to the leader
4. Biotherm, 54.9 miles to the leader
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 61.3 miles to the leader

VO65
1. WindWhisper Racing, 1509.1 miles to the goal
2. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 6.5 miles to the leader
3. Team JAJO, 9.8 miles to the leader
4. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 9.9 miles to the leader
5. Ambersail 2, 21.2 miles to the leader
6. Viva Mexico, in technical stop, 194.5 miles to the leader

2023-01-16: Accident start in The Ocean Race... Viva México in Almería to repair

Both fleets face extreme conditions in the approach to Gibraltar

The first 24 hours of The Ocean Race have been a major challenge for their ships because of the hardness of conditions, although it has been nothing unexpected. After meeting a period of calm at night, the weather has fulfilled its threat and has brought strong winds and great waves that hit the sea of Alboran.

In the IMOCA fleet, after an impressive departure from the Biotherm (FRA), Paul Meilhat's team has been caught in very soft winds, already unable to follow the rhythm of its rivals, who had taken alternative routes.

The Viva Mexico (MEX) suffered a break in the major candle that forced them to go to Almería to repair or replace the damaged candle... these are the data at the last hour of today's afternoon:

1. 11th Hour Racing Team, 1652 miles from the arrival in Cape Verde
2. Team Holcim-PRB, 2.3 miles from the leader
3. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 18.1 miles from the leader
4. Team Malizia, 20.4 miles from the leader
5. Biotherm, 24.9 miles from the leader

1. Ambersail 2, 1665 miles from the arrival in Cape Verde
2. WindWhisper Racing, 1.6 miles from the leader
3. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 1.6 miles from the leader
4. Team JAJO, 6.7 miles from the leader
5. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 7.4 miles from the leader
6. Viva Mexico, enters Almería to repair, 38 miles from the leader