Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Holcim-PRB, 11th in the New York-Vendée Les Sables Transat

by Team HOLCIM - PRB 12 Jun 2024 10:10 PDT 12 June 2024
New York – Vendée © Jean-Louis Carli | Vendée Globe

Departing from New York on May 29th, Nicolas Lunven arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne today after 13 days, 18 hours, and 20 minutes of racing. He finished 11th in this second edition of the solo transatlantic race New York - Vendée Les Sables. The completion of this challenging transatlantic crossing with a broken bowsprit is testament to Nicolas's resilience and skillfulness.

The skipper of Holcim-PRB had to revise his ambitions from the third day of the race. After suffering a new bowsprit breakage (Nicolas had already dealt with the same type of damage in The Transat CIC), he managed the race like an excellent sailor to avoid further damaging his IMOCA and still finishing just outside of the top 10.

Nicolas never gave up and continued to fight in this transatlantic race, which was the last major offshore rehearsal before the Vendée Globe next November. Initially battling neck-and-neck with MACIF Santé Prévoyance in the early days of the race, Nicolas inevitably felt some regret at the finish for not being able to continue this battle all the way to Vendée. "After the bowsprit broke, it was a big disappointment. It was a blow, especially since it wasthe second time. I had a down moment, but I got back on track. There was no question of stopping just like that. I found myself with many other boats not far away, so I got motivated to sail properly. 11th is not the result I expected, but I still learned things. I gained a lot of experience, which is always enriching. And above all, I had a lot of fun," explained Nicolas.

Proof of this resilience, the skipper put on a show this afternoon in front of the immense beach of the Vendée Globe city, ending this transatlantic race in the best possible way. He crossed the finish line at 14:20 aboard a boat sailing at full speed and flying above the water. The breathtaking spectacle thrilled the entire technical team present to welcome Holcim-PRB. A few hours later, around 18:00, as he sailed up the famous channel of Les Sables d'Olonne, Nicolas could feel what awaits him in a few months...

On November 10th, the sun will likely not shine as brightly as today, but the fervor of the thousands of people who will be gathered to cheer on the sailors departing for their solo, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world race will be enough to warm Nicolas and the 39 other competitors expected in the 2024 Vendée Globe. Until then, the technical team will take care of Holcim-PRB during a scheduled refit period lasting a little over two months.

Related Articles

Everything to know about The Ocean Race Europe
One month to go to the race start in Kiel One month out from the start of the 2025 edition of The Ocean Race Europe seven mixed-gender crews made up of sailors from across 13 nations are in the throes of their final preparations for the Race start in Kiel, Germany. Posted on 10 Jul
The Ocean Race Europe Video Preview
We speak to Phil Lawrence, Peter Rusch & Pip Hare to find out more The Ocean Race Europe will take place between 10 August & 21 September, following a debut event in the summer of 2021. The racing is in IMOCA yachts, the same as the Vendée Globe, but this time with 4 crew and an OBR who will document the action on board. Posted on 8 Jul
Tom Dolan flies to the finish in Course des Caps
Irish offshore champion finishes 5th in 2,000-nautical-mile race around Britain and Ireland Irish offshore sailor Tom Dolan has completed the Course des Caps in an impressive 5th place, racing aboard the IMOCA 60 Charal alongside legendary skipper Jérémie Beyou. Posted on 7 Jul
Goodchild takes his first win in the IMOCA Class
After a dominant performance in the Course des Caps The British skipper Sam Goodchild celebrated his first victory in the IMOCA Class yesterday after crossing the finish line of the Course des Caps - Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord, a 1,800-nautical mile sprint around Britain and Ireland. Posted on 6 Jul
Biotherm has arrived in Kiel
Ahead of the Start of The Ocean Race Europe on 10th August At 1:00 am on Saturday 5 July, Biotherm came alongside in Kiel's marina, north-east Germany, following a 48-hour delivery trip across the Baltic Sea. Posted on 6 Jul
Team Malizia secures 4th in Course des Caps
After thrilling high-speed finale to Boulogne-sur-Mer After six days of intense racing around the British Isles, Team Malizia crossed the finish line in Boulogne-sur-Mer to secure an impressive fourth place in the Course des Caps 2025. Posted on 5 Jul
Holcim-PRB finishes 3rd in the Course des Caps
Despite a bowsprit failure occurring just 40 nautical miles from the finish After 6 days, 4 hours, and 26 minutes of intense sailing around the British Isles, the Holcim-PRB crew crossed the finish line of the Course des Caps Boulogne-sur-Mer – Banque Populaire du Nord, completing a route as demanding as it was strategic. Posted on 5 Jul
MACIF Santé Prévoyance wins Course des Caps Race
An exceptional performance in terms of speed and focus throughout the race This Saturday, July 5, the IMOCA MACIF Santé Prévoyance crossed the finish line of the Cape Race in Boulogne-sur-Mer in first place. After six days at sea, the crew achieved an exceptional performance in terms of speed and focus throughout the race. Posted on 5 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section. Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
Switch One DesignPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One Design