Holcim-PRB: The IMOCA returns to the water, getting ready for The Ocean Race start
by Team HOLCIM - PRB 2 Jan 2023 14:16 PST
Holcim-PRB © Julien Champolion | PolaRYSE | Holcim-PRB
At 8:00 this Monday morning, the whole Holcim-PRB technical team was all hands on deck. A whole day was necessary to put the boat back into the water from its cradle. The launch was divided into different steps: crane preparation, reattaching the keel on the boat, putting back in the foils, lifting the boat into the water and finally reconnecting the mast. This launch represents a key moment for the Team and marks the end of three weeks of hard work by the shore crew. This also means the sailing crew can start their training for The Ocean Race.
After the boat arrived in Alicante, following the delivery back from Guadeloupe, the shore team proceeded to do a complete check of the boat structure, with an expert using ultrasounds. Kevin Escoffier, skipper of Holcim-PRB explained: "she came back from two transatlantic crossings so this check-up was necessary. But the boat was in good shape, and we didn't have any unpleasant surprises."
The primary reason for this refit was the configuration of the IMOCA from "solo" to "crew" mode as some adjustments were necessary to improve the comfort and crew life onboard: "This boat has never sailed in fully-crewed configuration." says Holcim-PRB's skipper. "To configure the boat in crew mode, we made some mandatory comfort adjustments asked by the IMOCA class. We added some desalinators and reconfigured the energy production because the boat consumes much more when there are several people onboard compared to single-handed sailing. Apart from these adjustments, there were not many changes, we focused mainly on the installation of the bunks for the sailors. " Tara Troussier, in charge of the shipyard in Alicante, adds.
In addition, different events are organized by the race organization such as Pro-Am races and In-Port races. These races will take place during the day in the Bay of Alicante and bring together all the IMOCA boats that will take part in The Ocean Race. These races will allow partners and the media to discover crewed sailing and will be an opportunity for the general public to enjoy a high-flying show combining speed, technology and sporting performance. "I can't wait to get back on the water and meet up with the other IMOCA boats which I was in direct competition with during the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe 2022", says Kevin Escoffier, with a big smile on his face.
Superb work has been done so far by the shore team these past few weeks, to enable the crew to take a safe start on January 15th for the first 1900 nautical miles sprint to Cabo Verde.