Image: 19 January 2023, Leg 1, day 5, Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team © Robin Christ / Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team / The Ocean Race
The winning IMOCA is expected to finish near midnight GMT in Cabo Verde, with Team Holcim-PRB maintaining speed and control at the front of the fleet.
But there are still some moves to be made as the leading trio, which includes 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia, gybe towards the finishing line. Each manoeuvre has some jeopardy attached in losing miles to the competition or placing the boat in an unfavourable wind shift.
“We’re going really fast at the moment, it’s actually quite a nice mode,” said Boris Herrmann from Team Malizia as they try to gain miles on second-placed 11th Hour Racing Team. “We have these long waves that help push us. It’s getting warmer. Looking forward to some smoother sailing and maybe a bit quieter too as it’s been very loud on board with this sea state. But let’s see.”
Behind the leading trio, Biotherm and GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, are lined up about 8 to 10 hours behind the leaders, with Paul Meilhat’s Biotherm holding the inside track advantage.
VO65s
It’s a similar story in the VO65 fleet, with WindWhisper Racing Team in a strong position ahead of Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team and Team JAJO, who are likely to be in a dogfight for second place all the way to the finish. The latest projections have the VO65 leaders arriving Cabo Verde on Saturday afternoon.
Click here for drone footage from Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team
Leading IMOCA - midnight and onwards GMT Friday night
Leading VO65s - Saturday afternoon GMT
Rankings at 1200 GMT - 20 January 2023
IMOCA
1. Team Holcim-PRB, 250.4 miles to finish
2. 11th Hour Racing Team, 36.1 miles to leader
3. Team Malizia, 49.3 miles to leader
4. Biotherm, 209.4 miles to leader
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 284.4 miles to leader
VO65
1. WindWhisper Racing, 423.6 miles to finish
2. Mirpuri Foundation Race Team, 29.7 miles to leader
3. Team JAJO, 51.5 miles to leader
4. Austrian Ocean Race - Team Genova, 106.4 miles to leader
5. Ambersail 2, 128.5 miles to leader
6. Viva México, 795.4 miles to leader