Polish yacht off to good start in 2023 Ocean Race

The Polish sailboat WindWhisper has won the opening stage of the prestigious round-the-world Ocean Race off the coast of Alicante in Spain, according to news reports.

The Polish sailboat WindWhisper on Sunday won the opening stage of the prestigious round-the-world Ocean Race off the coast of Alicante in Spain.

Photo: WindWhisper Racing Team

The WindWhisper on Sunday won the so-called In-Port Race Alicante in its VO65 class “by a comfortable margin,” according to the Ocean Race’s official website. 

With the wind dying out, @TeamWindWhisper managed to sneak pas the finish line and takes first place in the Alicante In-Port Race 👏
The Polish team scores the maximum 6 points.#TheOceanRace #VO65Sprint pic.twitter.com/RbPV07wkNd

— The Ocean Race (@theoceanrace) January 8, 2023

The Polish yacht beat its nearest rival, Austrian Ocean Racing powered by Team Genova, by more than 15 minutes.

🇵🇱 @TeamWindWhisper wins the VO65 Alicante In-Port Race 👏
Rules state that boats have 15 minutes to cross the finish line after the first boat has done so. Due to light winds, no other #VO65 was able to finish within the time limit, therefore the 5 other boats are scored as DNF. pic.twitter.com/sZ6Nxoe9Ka

— The Ocean Race (@theoceanrace) January 8, 2023

This meant that the WindWhisper secured 6 points, while there were no points for the five remaining boats in the VO65 class, theoceanrace.com reported.

The WindWhisper's Arianne van de Loosdrecht. Photo: WindWhisper Racing Team

‘We’re very happy to win In-Port Race’

The Polish yacht’s Spanish skipper Pablo Arrarte said: ““We’re very happy to win the In-Port Race.”

Post-line crossing reaction from Pablo Arrarte, skipper of WindWhisper Racing Team 💬#TheOceanRace pic.twitter.com/QG1TCwEeQV

— The Ocean Race (@theoceanrace) January 8, 2023

The four-time veteran of the Ocean Race added: “It was very tricky. The wind didn’t help much.”

The WindWhisper's Pablo Arrarte.   Photo: WindWhisper Racing Team

Leg 1: Alicante to Cabo Verde

Next, the 1,900-nautical-mile Leg 1 of the Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup begins on January 15, taking competitors from Alicante to Cabo Verde, theoceanreace.com said.

The 2023 Ocean Race concludes with an In-Port Race at Italy’s Genova on July 1, according to the organisers. 

Photo: WindWhisper Racing Team

Polish yacht in Ocean Race for the first time in half century

The Ocean Race’s 2023 edition marks the first time in 50 years that Poland has fielded a boat in what is one of the world’s most famous and demanding yacht races, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The WindWhisper’s 12-member crew represents a perfect mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm, its press team said. 

Photo: WindWhisper Racing Team

Apart from Arrarte and crewmember Antonio Cuervas-Mons, who both have pedigree in the Ocean Race and are past winners of the classic Sydney-Hobart race, the team includes the experienced captain, Papua New Guinea’s Liz Wardley, among other eminent sailors. 

They are complemented by a host of talented young Polish crew members, including the Gwóźdź brothers, Kacper (20) and Mateusz (17), who is one of the youngest participants of Ocean Race 2023.    

The WindWhisper’s progress can be followed on the Polish yacht’s official website, Facebook and Instagram.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, WindWhisper Racing Team, theoceanrace.com