The Ocean Race 2022-23: Team Malizia hold on to win Leg 5 In-Port Race from 11th Hour Racing Team despite late drama

Updated 21/05/2023 at 21:59 GMT

Team Malizia were on course for a comfortable win in the In-Port race to kick off Leg 5 of The Ocean Race 2022-23, but hit a wind shadow just yards from the line. Fortunately for them, they couldn't be caught by 11th Hour Racing Team, their nearest pursuer during the opening section of the race. Stream The Ocean Race 2022-23 live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Team Malizia hangs on to take win in Leg 5 In-Port Race of The Ocean Race 2022-23

Team Malizia held on to win the Leg 5 In-Port Race of The Ocean Race 2022-23 despite late drama.

After the poor weather of the previous day had seen the In-Port Race postponed to become the start of the main race on Sunday, the teams knew a fast start would be vital in a bid to begin the leg by garnering some points.

And it was 11th Hour Racing Team who stormed out of the start gate, putting all their knowledge of the local waters to good use to develop a big gap back to their competing boats.

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There was drama behind them as Team Malizia tried to pull a narrow overtake on Team Holcim-PRB, but came close to hitting the committee boat that marked the start line.

Biotherm were back in fourth as they sought to track the rest of the fleet.

The winds dropped thereafter as the boats saw a lull in their progress, but the racing resumed not long after - and it was Team Malizia who took a brilliant line to pass the second mark in first place.

And they managed to keep their advantage all the way to mark three, as 11th Hour Racing sought to hang onto their coat tails.

The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 21 May 2023. In-Port race in Newport

Image credit: Getty Images

There was a decent gap to Team Holcim-PRB and Biotherm in third and fourth respectively, as it looked like being a two-horse race for the In-Port victory.

Team Malizia kept up their charge for the win, but there was drama just yards from the finish line, as the German team hit a wind shadow and came to an almost complete stop.

11th Hour Racing Team were in pursuit, but they couldn't capitalise as Malizia inched their way over the line, which doubled as the leaving gate for the offshore part of Leg 5.

Malizia took five points for their victory.

Leg 5 will conclude in Aarhus, Denmark following 3,500 nautical miles of sailing.