The Transat CIC lives up to its reputation. This solo transatlantic crossing has been extreme, challenging both the sailors and the boats since the start. Most of the first four days of racing have been marked by strong winds and rough seas. Holcim-PRB, like several other IMOCAs in the race, has felt the strain. Yesterday, while in the leading group in 5th place, Nicolas Lunven informed his shore team that the bowsprit was broken. This triangular piece at the front of the hull serves as an anchor point for the larger sails used when sailing downwind. The skipper managed the situation calmly, even though conditions were still challenging at the time of the incident. He secured Holcim-PRB and immediately stated that he would continue racing. Naturally, the monohull will face penalties for the rest of the journey to New York. It will be missing up to XXX m² of sail area compared to those who can use their downwind sails, affecting the monohull's performance.

Yesterday, Nicolas managed to recover slightly while passing through an anticyclonic ridge. However, this respite was short-lived as a new depression is now on the horizon. Currently, the solo sailor, positioned to the south of the leader Charlie Dalin on MACIF, is navigating within the same weather system as the front runners and is matching their speed. In the latest update, he was clocked at 20.2 knots, while MACIF, closer to the center of the new depression, recorded 18.4 knots.

The sailing conditions are set to worsen throughout the day, with deteriorating sea states predicted. Waves of 4 to 4.5 meters are expected for the fleet of IMOCAs, so caution will be paramount on board Holcim-PRB. Nicolas will need to wait until tonight to regain more manageable conditions, with winds shifting to the northeast at 20-25 knots. Tomorrow, the leaders will accelerate in reaching conditions (sailing with the wind from the side), which will likely make it more challenging for Nicolas to maintain his speed, especially since his forward sails will be missed the most in these circumstances. Nevertheless, he remains focused on completing the race to New York.

Onshore, the technical team has been busy since yesterday organizing the repairs that will be carried out in the United States to restore the monohull, aiming for the start of the return transatlantic race from New York to Les Sables d’Olonne on May 28.