The Ocean Race 2022-23: Kevin Escoffier says Team Holcim-PRB are ‘not as focused or precise’ as before
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Updated 21/03/2023 at 10:47 GMT
It looked like Team Holcim-PRB were going to continue their dominance at this year’s edition of The Ocean Race, but their big lead during Leg 3 has been wiped away. Team Malizia, Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing Team have all closed the gap, which was as high as over 500 nautical miles two weeks ago, and Kevin Escoffier has revealed his Holcim-PRB crew have not been as focussed recently.
Still a tense battle! - The Ocean Race 2023 Daily Recap for March 17th
Team Holcim-PRB skipper Kevin Escoffier believes his crew are “not as focused or precise” compared to how they were earlier in Leg 3 of The Ocean Race.
Holcim-PRB currently have a perfect record, having won the opening two legs and were first across the scoring gate last Sunday.
They had built a lead of over 500 nautical miles, but have been reeled in by Team Malizia, Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing Team, with just 31 nautical miles splitting all four teams on Friday at 15:00 GMT.
"I think we are not as focused or precise in terms of how we are sailing compared to before," said Escoffier.
"We've discussed this and now we are back to how we were doing it earlier. Things like having small debriefings after each watch - writing down our goals each time, it's essential to do that.
"As for Malizia, we haven't been looking that much at them because they do not have the same wind as us for a few days now.”
Team Malizia have been tracking at a more northerly route, which has helped them close the gap to Holcim-PRB and at 16:00 GMT they had edged ahead.
Malizia's Nico Lunven is confident about their strategy, which has changed the complexion of the race.
"It has been our plan to be in the north so we have the ability to come down at a good angle to the ice exclusion zone," said Lunven.
"With this wind speed it is quite nice. But it is already getting a bit light closer to the high pressure."
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