Unanticipated Collision at The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel Sparks Thrilling Start!

Nothing thrills sailing fans quite like a roaring start to a race, and The Ocean Race Europe certainly obliged. Picture it - a beautiful day in Kiel, Germany, with brilliant sunshine and brisk westerly breeze creating perfect conditions for a thrilling race. But the adrenaline kicked up several notches just minutes after the starting gun when reports came that there had been a collision between Switzerland’s Holcim PRB and Italy’s Allagrande MAPEI Racing. Both boats had to turn back immediately for damage checks. This development was unexpected by spectators and competitors alike.

Away from the water, there was no shortage of excitement with a huge crowd rallying at the Ocean Live Park. The atmosphere was nothing short of electrifying at the Sailor’s Parade as the competitors soaked in the cheers and well wishes of the fans. Yes, the race had indeed begun!

Yet, the intensity was far from over. The race might have started with a bang, literally and metaphorically, but the first 24 hours were predicted to be even more gripping. With strong winds and high-speed boats, the race until reaching north of Denmark was expected to be a memorable one. Meanwhile, for Holcim PRB and Allagrande Mapei, the drama was far from over. As they had to get their boats repaired and up to peak performance in time for Leg 2, the race was on indeed. Navigating the Kiel Canal to the North Sea seemed a possible solution to the repair issue. The journey was shaping up to be a true test! The need for speed was real, and it was plain sailing from here, albeit with a riveting twist at the start.