5 days ago
Crews unharmed in Ocean Race Europe boat race start-line collision
STORY: :: Crews are unharmed after two boats collide moments after starting the first leg of Ocean Race Europe
:: Kiel, Germany
:: August 10, 2025
:: Ambrosio Beccaria, Allagrande MAPEI racing skipper
"Yeah, it happens that we were sailing and there was some wind, very close racing and we have an accident with Holcim. And our outrigger get in their hull and hopefully no one is hurt. This is the most important for sure, this is first of all. And then both of the boats are here in the pontoon, so it's a sad moment for everybody and we will see if we will be able to continue."
:: Rosalin Kuiper, Team Holcim skipper
"Yes, everyone is safe on board, it's the most important and same on MAPEI so that's the most important here."
'…it's very disappointing what happened on the water. You don't want to come back after you start a race and after you do such a big preparation. So different minds I have, but what I know is that we have a very strong team, we are very pragmatic and now we are going to work hard and our aim is to be on the starting line ASAP again."
Team Holcim and Team Allagrande MAPEI Racing have returned to harbor to assess the extent of the damage following the coming together.
Team Holcim's skipper Rosalin Kuiper, who had led from the start, confirmed to race organisers that she would be withdrawing from the first leg which is due to end off the coast of Portsmouth, England after damage to the hull, but hoped to rejoin the fleet in time for the start of the second leg.
Seven mixed‑gender IMOCA teams will race 4,500 nautical miles (8,334 kilometers) through the North Sea, English Channel, Atlantic, and Mediterranean and are due to finish in Montenegro on September 21.
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