Team Holcim-PRB reveals crew for the first leg of The Ocean Race Europe

Team Holcim-PRB reveals crew for the first leg of The Ocean Race Europe © Eloi Stichelbaut | polaRYSE | Holcim-PRB

On Sunday, Team Holcim-PRB will set off on the first leg of The Ocean Race Europe. For this opening stage, Rosalin Kuiper, the only female skipper in this edition, will be joined by international offshore racing experts. Nicolas Lunven, Franck Cammas, Alan Roberts, and onboard reporter Anne Beaugé will be aboard the IMOCA for this 850-mile course between Kiel, Germany, and Portsmouth, England.

Six weeks of competition and five legs await the sailors of Team Holcim-PRB. The start in 48 hours will mark the culmination of several months of intense preparation for the team, and the Dutch skipper is eager to finally get down to business: "I am very happy with the warm welcome we have received here since our arrival. The atmosphere is exceptional and the Germans are very friendly. With the team, we have prepared intensively to be fully ready for the start. Both the sailors and the technical team have done a remarkable job. We have everything we need to write a great chapter in The Ocean Race Europe, and we are all very excited to start the race. We are also very focused because the line-up is extremely competitive, and we will need to race at a relentless pace."

Third in the recent Course des Caps Boulogne-sur-Mer - Banque Populaire du Nord 2025, the Holcim-PRB team has just proven its potential and clearly aims to compete at the front throughout the journey to Boka Bay, Montenegro, in September. From this very first leg, the sailors intend to make an impression by getting the most out of their monohull and the strong team spirit forged over recent months.

Nicolas Lunven, who recently finished 6th in the Vendée Globe, will take on the role of navigator during the race. The French sailor is happy to be back in this European format after his last participation in 2021: "I have very fond memories of it for several reasons. It's a great race because it takes us to places where we're not used to sailing, whether in the North Sea or the Mediterranean - it's fantastic. Sailing close to shore, in summer conditions, is unique. We'll likely have pleasant sailing conditions, but also tricky ones with light winds and sea breezes. The game can change quickly; nothing is ever guaranteed. These races are often complicated in the moment, especially strategically, but there's a lot to be gained from them."

Franck Cammas is equally enthusiastic about starting the competition. Like the rest of the team, he's focused on performance and making the most of a diverse, multi-skilled crew: "This first leg will be almost like inshore racing in a way. It's inshore racing extended to four or five days. We have a good boat, well built and well designed. Of course, some newer, very fast boats have come out since, but Holcim-PRB can win the race. Sailing with an international crew is particularly stimulating. Having multiple cultures on the same boat is very positive. Complementarity is valuable as long as we communicate and work well together. It forces us to be open-minded, even if our experiences differ. All experiences are worth valuing. We are all passionate and truly happy to be on the water, pushing the boat, and starting the race."

British sailor Alan Roberts is also looking forward to the start, especially since the leg will finish in his home country: "The crew is in a great mindset. Personally, I'm very eager to race. This first stage will be a bit like a Solitaire du Figaro leg, but since we'll be racing as a crew, we'll be able to exploit the full potential of the boat. We've been working for six months to be ready. We're off to a good start, we've learned a lot, and we've grown a lot. The goal is clear - we're here to win. And for me, it will of course be very special to arrive in Portsmouth."

Sailing for our oceans

As part of its continued dedication to environmental stewardship, Team Holcim-PRB will once again champion sustainability in The Ocean Race Europe. The team will use the Ocean Pack, a scientific device that collects valuable oceanographic data, contributing to a deeper understanding of the climate and its impact on the oceans. This initiative builds on the team's commitment during The Ocean Race 2022-2023 and the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe, further solidifying Holcim-PRB's mission to combine top-tier sporting performance with citizen science initiatives.