The Ocean Race Europe: Holcim and Allagrande Mapei collide at the start.

Holcim-PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing suffered a nasty blow at the start of The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel. Shortly after crossing the line, in strong gusts, the two boats collided and suffered what appeared to be significant damage. Holcim suffered damage to its hull, Allagrande to its sails and possibly its rigging. Both boats returned to shore to assess the damage and attempt to repair it.

The collision

"It's a huge disappointment," says Carolijn Brouwer of Holcim-PRB. "My heart is heavy... We worked so hard to get there," says Ambrogio Beccaria, skipper of Allagrande Mapei. Both teams are now working to determine whether they can restart. The incident remains under investigation to determine if anyone is responsible. This isn't the first time it's happened: we all remember the collision between ^11th Hour Racing and Guyot at the start of the final leg of The Ocean Race 2022/2023 . And the discussions about the poor visibility between the buoys of the latest-generation Imoca60s, between the deckhouse, the covered cockpit, and the use of the autopilot.

The regatta

The fleet was led by Biotherm, who first crossed the Kiel Lighthouse gate, earning the first points of The Ocean Race Europe. Paprec Arkea was right behind. Biotherm earned two points, while Paprec Arkea earned one.