Fleet storms away from the Solent as Ocean Race Europe Leg 2
The first prize came quickly — a scoring gate at The Needles. In sparkling downwind conditions, tide in their favour, the fleet tore past Cowes with spinnakers flying. Paprec Arkéa’s Yoann Richomme had grabbed the early spotlight, but once again it was Paul Meilhat and his Biotherm crew who bagged the maximum points, keeping their flawless scoring record intact. Paprec settled for second, while Holcim-PRB, freshly patched up and back from the brink, crossed third.
Holcim’s skipper Alan Roberts could hardly hide his pride. “It’s amazing we’re back. The shore team worked day and night — adversity bonded us tighter. We’re at 100% and hungry to race.” His words echoed the grit behind every sail change.
At the other end of the dock, Allagrande Mapei Racing arrived barely a day before the start, but skipper Ambrogio Beccaria shrugged it off. “Our boat’s made for strong winds,” he grinned. “Bring it on.”
Biotherm, still carrying the yellow jersey, are trying not to look too far ahead. “We’ve started well, but this leg will be brutal,” Meilhat admitted. “Transitions off Brittany, the Bay of Biscay, and finally the Med — there’s no let-up.”
Malizia, fresh from their bold Dover gamble, are thriving in tonight’s forecast. “These are our conditions,” said co-skipper Will Harris, now wearing the armband for Boris Herrmann. With new crew energy, Malizia smell opportunity.
Richomme’s Paprec Arkéa is relishing the opening blast but braced for tactical headaches down the line. “It’s going to be beautiful — spinnaker start, fast run — but tricky around Ouessant. Surprises always come.”
As the sun dropped over the Solent, the leaderboard read: Biotherm 11 points, Paprec Arkéa 7, Malizia 6, Canada Ocean Racing 4, Amaala 3, Holcim and Allagrande on zero. But numbers won’t tell the whole tale. Ahead lies Biscay, Portuguese trades, Gibraltar, and the Med — a sailor’s gauntlet.
By Wednesday, they’ll skim Porto. Soon after, Cartagena. And between now and then? Sails will rip, crews will curse, and fortunes will swing. Ocean racing at its finest.