The Ocean Race: Team around skipper Boris Herrmann sails onto the podium in the first stage

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The ›Malizia – Seaexplorer‹ enters the port of Mindelo in Cape Verde

Photo: Sailing Energy / dpa

The Malizia team around Hamburg sailor Boris Herrmann finished the first stage of the 14th The Ocean Race in third place.

It covered more than 1900 nautical miles from Alicante in Spain to Mindelo on Cape Verde.

With their new ›Malizia – Seaexplorer‹, Herrmann and crew needed 5 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes, 21 seconds.

In the early hours of the morning, Kevin Escoffier's Swiss team Holcim – PRB secured the stage victory after more than five days and eleven hours.

Almost three hours later, Charlie Enright's US team 11th Hour Racing crossed the finish line.

For third place, Team Malizia receives three points for the Ocean Race classification.

The intense opening stage was marked by heavy weather in the Mediterranean and en route to the Strait of Gibraltar.

After that, the Holcim – PRB team controlled the Ocean Race fleet of five Imoca yachts.

Herrmann's team was the fastest boat in the fleet at times, but was unable to catch up from the early stages.

Fifth circumnavigation for Herrmann

"I'm super happy with the performance of our boat and my team," said Herrmann in Mindelo's port of destination.

For the 41-year-old, it was a successful start to his fifth circumnavigation: »It took almost three days before we could speak to each other because it was so loud and brutal on board after the start in the harsh conditions.

After that we enjoyed almost champagne conditions, quite fast and nice sailing.«

The French team Biotherm and the French-German Guyot Environnement - Team Europe with the Berlin co-skipper Robert Stanjek were still on their way to the finish line on Saturday.

During the first short stopover, the teams may only carry out repairs without the help of their country teams.

The second of a total of seven stages from Mindelo to Cape Town starts on Wednesday.

see/dpa