The Ocean Race Europe has tight finish at Cascais - six finish in 180secs

Four boats contest the finish of Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe from Lorient, France to Cascais, Portugal © Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race

The 1400nm first leg of The Ocean Race Europe went down to the wire with six boats from the combined fleet of 12 IMOCA60's and VOR65's crossing the finish line inside 3 minutes.

The Austrian Ocean Race Project (IMOCA) and Corum L'Épargne (VO65) were declared as the winners of Leg 1, which started on Saturday in Lorient, France, rounded Mark Alpha, a virtual mark 480nm west of Cape Finisterre before heading to the finish off Cascais, Portugal.

Closing in on the finish the fleet had to make a decision on whether to pass to the north or south pf an Exclusion Zone set up off the entrance to Cascais.

While the majority of the fleet elected to pass south of the Exclusion Zone, the race was won and lost in the final few metres before the finish. There were numerous lead changes in the fickle breeze, mist and light rain.

Team Childhood was the leader right to the last few metres as a group of four boats chased a leg win.

The IMOCA60 Corum L'Épargne was the first of the fleet to finish at 12:46:57 UTC, followed by the first VOR65 The Austrian Ocean Race Project at 12:47:41 UTC

Provisional Results:

Corum L'Epargne - Leg 1 winner IMOCA 60 class - The Ocean Race Europe Leg 1 - photo © Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race

The Austrian Ocean Race project - Leg 1 winner VOR 65 class - The Ocean Race Europe Leg 1 - photo © Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race

VO65

1st: The Austrian Ocean Race Project 12:47:41 UTC
2nd: Ambersail-2 12:47:47 UTC
3rd: Team Childhood 12:48:02 UTC
4th: Sailing Poland 12:49:00 UTC
5th: AkzoNobel Ocean Racing 12:50:33 UTC
6th: Viva México 12:51:53 UTC
7th: Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team 12:53:52 UTC