In a thrilling conclusion to Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe, Paul Meilhat and his team on Biotherm achieved a flawless performance, securing all available points and finishing first in Cartagena. This leg was the longest of the event, and the team collected a total of 16 points through various scoring opportunities, solidifying their position at the top of the leaderboard.
Meilhat expressed the challenges faced during the leg, particularly the heavy downwind conditions that were not ideal for their sailing style. “We were very, very fast downwind after Gibraltar, averaging 30 knots on flat water, but then the wind died, making transitions difficult. Luckily, our boat performs well upwind in light and medium winds, which suited the Mediterranean conditions better,” he noted.
The second-place position was clinched by Team Holcim PRB, marking their best result in the race so far after a third-place finish at the Fly By in Matosinhos. Skipper Rosalin Kuiper was thrilled with the performance, stating, “It’s amazing to be here in second place. A week ago, we couldn’t imagine being on the starting line. The teamwork was exceptional, and the vibe on board is very positive.”
Finishing third, Paprec Arkéa had a strong start but lost momentum later in the race. Skipper Yoann Richomme reflected on their performance, saying, “We sailed well, but a small mistake cost us significantly. Overall, it’s a good result and keeps us competitive for the upcoming legs. There’s still a month of racing ahead, and we are excited for more intense competition.”
As of Saturday morning, four boats remained on the course, with Allagrande Mapei Racing expected to finish next, closely followed by Team Malizia. The competition is heating up as teams eye the next stages of the race. For live updates and race tracking, visit www.theoceanrace.com.
Provisional Leaderboard:
Biotherm – 25 points
Paprec Arkéa – 18 points
Team Holcim PRB – 11 points
Team Malizia – 10 points (awaiting Cartagena points)
Be Water Positive – 6 points (awaiting points)
Team AMAALA – 4 points (awaiting points)
Allagrande Mapei Racing – 3 points (awaiting points)
#TheOceanRace #Sailing #AustralianSailing
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