HOLCIM PRB SOLO SAIL

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Both damaged yachts back in the race

After repairs, the 'Holcim' set off from the Knierim Yard in Kiel on Aug 14 at around 10:30 p.m., the 'Allagrande' entered the Kiel Canal on Aug 15 at around 6 a.m., both yachts destinated to Portsmouth, where the second leg of the Ocean Race will start on Aug 17. Everything must now be right for the teams to arrive in England on time for the start of the second leg: The route from Kiel to Portsmouth is around 500 miles. However, the wind forecast looked good. The other five Imoca yachts have already arrived in Portsmouth; the French team Biotherm won ahead of German sailor Boris Herrmann. Mapei and Holcim would need a victory in Spain to have a chance at the title in the remainder of the race. After the second leg, the protest hearing will determine who was responsible for the collision Kiel. The case is complicated.

Repairs of damaged race yachts progressing

The "Allagrande Mapei Racing" and the "Holcim PRB" are scheduled to return to the starting line on Aug 17, just in time for the start of the second leg of the Ocean Race in Portsmouth, England. However, at least 500 nautical miles and several repairs still separate the yachts from the starting line. The Team Mapei is currently waiting. The spare parts needed after the crash are to be transported to Kiel and installed on board. To make this possible, the Italians have now changed berths. Instead of the Reventlou Bridge, the high-speed yacht is now berthed in the City Marina at the Ostsee Quay. Team "Biotherm" had set up its berth on the pontoon next to cruise berth 28 before the start of the race. The team led by skipper Ambrogio Beccaria is currently near the boat, waiting for the delivery of the necessary spare parts. In addition, further tests are being conducted to detect possible structural damage. The "Holcim PRB" team, with Dutch skipper Rosalin Kuiper, also wants to get back into the race quickly. Work has been underway at the Knierim shipyard pier on the Kiel Canal since the morning of Aug 11. The section of the yacht's hull that was torn open during the crash was removed since. The shipyard workers and members of the Holcim team have prepared the installation of a fitting piece. A mold is being built for this piece at Knierim, into which the new hull section will then be inserted according to the boatbuilder's specifications. The repair of the "Holcim PRB" is progressing. The damaged section of the hull has been removed. The new section is now being manufactured at Knierim. The material is carbon fiber, and Knierim has appropriately trained boat builders and equipment for processing it. They were doing everything they can to ensure the Holcim arrives in Portsmouth on time, according to shipyard manager Steffen Müller. His crew is partly made up of regatta sailors who have participated in major races. Shipyard manager Gunnar Knierim was a long-time member of the 'Pinta' crew. The shipyard on the Channel has experience with racing yachts. The winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, "Guyot Environnement," was built there. If the yachts sail from Kiel through the Kiel Canal, it would be 500 nautical miles to Portsmouth, which would take the two teams just under two days. The route around the northern tip of Denmark near Skagen is around 900 nautical miles, which allows for quick sailing. It is unclear which route both teams will take.

Collision at start of Ocean Race

Just two minutes after the start of the Ocean Race Europe in Kiel.on Aug 10, 2025, a collision occurred between the Swiss team "Holcim-PRB" skippered by Rosalin Kuiper (Netherlands) and the Italian team "Allagrande Mapei Racing" skippered by Ambrogio Beccaria (Italy). Just two minutes after the start of the Ocean Race Europe, a collision occurred between the Swiss team "Holcim-PRB" skippered by Rosalin Kuiper (Netherlands) and the Italian team "Allagrande Mapei Racing" skippered by Ambrogio Beccaria (Italy). Both boats sustained such severe damage from the collision that they had to return to the starting port in Kiel. On the Italian racing yacht "Mapei," both the headsail and the mainsail were shredded and torn. On the "Holcim-PRB," holes were visible in the side of the boat. Damage to the long carbon tubes (outriggers) and the upper shrouds of the Mapei are possible. "That's a big problem," the Italian complained. While Team Mapei left the boat at the Blücher Bridge, Rosalin Kuiper and her team at Holcim were already working at full speed. The racing yacht was transferred to the Kiel Canal on thr Sunday evening and is now in Knierim's shipyard. Work on the Holcim's hull has already begun there. During the repair, there is close coordination with the Holcim team regarding the exchange of data for creating the mold for the damaged hull. Work continues into the night. The goal is to return to the race from Portsmouth, which the five remaining teams, including Team Malizia with skipper Boris Herrmann, hope to achieve after the start in Kiel around midweek. This would be possible if the boats take the shortcut via the Kiel Canal. The mast does not need to be lowered, and the boats can travel at a maximum speed of 12 kilometers per hour.