The Ocean Race 2022-23 as it happened: 11th Hour Racing Team celebrate thrilling Leg 4 victory in front of home fans

ByEurosport

Updated 11/05/2023 at 21:36 GMT

Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 is set for a thrilling conclusion as 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia vie for victory. It's been an event-filled leg with two teams - Guyot Environnment-Team Europe and Team Holcim-PRB - dismasting amid tricky conditions on the route to Newport, Rhode Island. Stream The Ocean Race live on Eurosport and discovery+.

WATCH - A victorious 11th Hour Racing Team arrive in Newport in style

Thursday 11 May

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19:00

Biotherm skipper Paul Meilhat hopes for an improved performance in Leg 5 of The Ocean Race after Leg 4 ended in disappointment.

The Biotherm team struggled across the line to finish at 08:04 at Newport, to record a time for the leg of 17 days, 19 hours, 49 minutes and 38 seconds.

Third place leaves Biotherm in fourth spot overall on 13 points, and they are behind Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing in joint second on 18 points. Those two teams trail leaders Team Holcim-PRB by a single point.

"The Ocean Race is still quite open heading into the race across the Atlantic, which counts for double-points," said Meilhat. "After our good start on this leg we would have liked to have been able to fight with the top guys a bit more but we are happy looking ahead to the next part of the race."

The action from Itajai in Brazil to Newport saw Biotherm take the lead and hold it for much of the leg up the coast of Brazil.

However, some poor performance let others get away from them, which cost them their chance of victory.

"That's sail boat racing. That's the way it goes sometimes," said crew member Alan Roberts. "You can get mad or frustrated, but it doesn't help.

"It's not easy to bring a completely new group on board, but I'm happy with how everyone worked together to become a team."

16:00

Watch the arrival as the 11th Hour Racing Team arrived at the finishing line in Newport, Rhode Island, at 2:41pm local time to win Leg 4 of The Ocean Race. Victory means they will claim five points for the overall standings. Team Malizia - who won Leg 3 - arrived in Newport next at 15:13:22 - 31:41 minutes after the winners.

11th Hour Racing Team win Leg 4 from Itajai to Newport, Team Malizia finishes second

Wednesday 10 May

21:45

So there we have it, 11th Hour Racing have won Leg 4 of The Ocean Race, over 30 minutes ahead of Team Malizia. Biotherm are expected to arrive in Newport in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Check out our in-depth report, now live on the website.

20:40

Simon Fisher admitted this was an "important" win for 11th Hour Racing.

"It's our hometown as a team," he said. "The home of 11th Hour Racing and the home for some of our crew members as well, so yeah, to be first here is amazing.

"It was a real game of cat and mouse, to be honest. It was one of those legs where there was always lots going on and never a real opportunity to get a big break.

"It was a leg where the devil was in the detail, you always had to keep pushing."

'Truly wild!' - Enright reacts to home win in Leg 4 alongside daughter Maggie

20:30

Charlie Enright was beaming with pride as he reflected on his team's success with Eurosport.

"Yeah, it's awesome. It's good. It's good to be here, and what a homecoming. It’s totally crazy, intimidating almost," he said.

"It’s like it was scripted. Been dreaming about this moment for a long time. To have it happen and then to have it happen like that as well, it’s really wild, very humbling."

20:15

Team Malizia are next to finish, earning four points for a second place finish. Both 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia will be sitting on 18 points, but the American team will win the tie break with a better position on the port leaderboard.

20:10

Jack Bouttell, of 11th Hour Racing, has been reflecting on his team's victory.

“It's fantastic," he said. "It’s always been a super difficult event and, you know, to win a leg is never an easy thing to do. And to enter into the home port is fantastic. And, you know, it's not just that, now we’re basically back to equal points for the top three boats nearly.

"So, the race is really on again with three legs remaining and yeah, it’s just great for the team. It’s a fantastic moment for everyone."

19:50

The official finishing time for the 11th Hour Racing Team is 19:41:41 (BST) or 18:41:41 UTC.

A delighted Emily Caroe, Communications Director of 11th Hour Racing Team, told Eurosport: "This is absolutely fantastic. This is why we [the 11th Hour Racing Team] race. We race for the win and we race to give ourselves a platform to be able to talk about ocean health and innovations for ocean health. It’s the platform we need. We needed this win and we’ve got it, so we are delighted."

19:35

Pictures are now live on the stream at the top of this page as the 11th Hour Racing Team edge closer to a stylish victory.

19:25

Things are heating up: 11th Hour Racing are now only 13 nautical miles away from completing leg 4.

They have a 10-mile lead, and with the wind up at Fort Adam, they should be fast through the finishing line.

18:20

According to the latest calculations, the arrival of 11th Hour Racing Team is now scheduled around 8pm (BST).

17:15

As we approach the finish, 11th Hour Racing Team is advancing towards a victory in style. At 5pm (BST), Charlie Enright's crew had a lead of 8.9nm over Team Malizia.

16:50

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe have issued an update after being dismasted on Tuesday.

Benjamin Dutreux's crew were just over 600 miles east of Newport, but the race had taken its toll in recent days in challenging weather conditions that saw gale force winds rise above 30 knots.

“With what is left from their mast and mainsail the crew managed to set up a jury rig,” The Ocean Race tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.

“They also got help from a passing tanker: 150L of fuel to help them reach the East Coast.”

16:25

A few hours before the finish, catch up on Wednesday's recap from The Ocean Race.

11th Hour Racing Team holding firm on the home stretch – Ocean Race daily recap

13:00

It's arrivals day!

Leg 4 is coming to a dramatic close, with 11th Hour Racing Team leading Team Malizia by the barest of margins as they head for Newport, Rhode Island.

Via the link above, we will have a live feed from 6pm BST/7pm CET, with the first arrivals expected at around 7pm BST/8pm CET.

The race is on...

Tuesday 9 May

20:00

Good news from GUYOT environnement with the team on the move again after being dismasted in strong winds.

17:00

Watch the dramatic moment when GUYOT environnement - Team Europe were forced to dismast .

'No please no!' - Dramatic video of GUYOT environnement - Team Europe dismasting

16:30

Herrmann has also sent a message to GUYOT environnement, who dismasted during the rough conditions.

He said: "Our thoughts are with you. If we can help in any way, we will. We send you good spirits, big hugs. Stay strong."

With all crew members safe, skipper Benjamin Dutreux has provided an update from the boat as they turn their thoughts to how they are going to recover from the problem.

"The next step is to join a place somewhere on the ground," he said.

"We work on it. We have a lot of possibility but it’s not easy to find a good solution. We are a small project.

"We need to try to work on a plan if we want to be back in the race. The first step is to coming back on the ground. We’ll adjust the plan as soon as possible.”

16:00

Boris Herrmann - as planned - is sitting the current leg out and watching the action unfold from the shore with Britain’s Will Harris stepping in as skipper for Team Malizia.

With the dramatic weather conditions testing the teams to their limits, Herrmann is happy his boat design is standing up to the challenge. He said: "It goes well through the sea and it is very solid. We have no structural issues whatsoever.”

"Everyone has gone to a rounder bow in the new generation but what happens in the back? We don’t see that so much but our boat is rounder also at the back.

"It’s a huge advantage in sea state, in any sort of sea state.

"The boat can naturally, by accelerating, it can go on its stern rather than pushing the nose down. We don’t know yet where the ideal line sits but I feel very confident with the choices we have made.

"For me, I don’t want to win the Vendee Globe or the Ocean Race at any cost. I want to pass the sea in a safe way, I don't want to nose dive and put the crew at risk or have some out of control moments. We had almost none in the entire Southern Ocean and that’s a fantastic proof of concept for this."

09:00

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe have dismasted in Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 with the finishing point of Newport, Rhode Island tantalisingly close.

Benjamin Dutreux's crew were just over 600 miles east of Newport, but the race had taken its toll in recent days in challenging weather conditions that saw gale force winds rise above 30 knots.

All of the crew are reported to be safe and sound, as focus turns to securing the boat.

Amory Ross, media man for 11th Hour Racing Team, said the fleet have had to deal with "boat-breaking conditions" as they approach the finish.

"It's nuts out here," he said.

"Our arrival at the Gulf Stream was unfortunately met with 35 knots. It’s a miserable combination and one that took us and the boat to the red line in an instant.

"There is no question these are boat-breaking conditions. Made worse by the fact that the longer you linger, the worse they get. So we are under some pressure to get out of the path of this low that is only going to intensify."

Monday 8 May

22:00

11th Hour Racing Team have provided an onboard update from Amory Ross.

"It's nuts out here,” he reported back. "Our arrival at the Gulf Stream was unfortunately met with 35 knots. It’s a miserable combination and one that took us and the boat to the red line in an instant.

"And the only way to get out of its path is to run…headfirst into a growing and confused sea state, typical of the northeast-flowing Gulf Stream. We’re slamming straight into breaking waves at 26 knots. You are never more alert than in times like these. It’s violent seated, violent standing, violent on your knees!

"To be honest, it’s a bit terrifying at the moment. Under three reefs and J3, there’s very little left we can do to de-power. We have to sit tight.

"Six more hours of this before the front passes to our south, and we’re over the hump. Next in its path is Biotherm and Guyot environnment - Team Europe, who will probably see worse than us. Fingers and toes crossed that everyone manages the conditions and gets to Newport, 800 long miles away, safe and sound.

"This leg has saved its very worst for last!”

15:45

11th Hour are still ahead this afternoon, leading Team Malizia by just 31.1 nautical miles.

201nm back is Team Biotherm, who are now under threat from GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, 227.6nm back.

Holcim - PRB await their repeaired boat ahead of Leg 5.

12:00

The competition level is high as 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia duel towards the finish.

"11th Hour Racing Team is just a few miles away and we're doing everything we can to get ahead of them," said Malizia skipper Will Harris. "The fight is still on. It's been an intense fight for the last six days or so - really intense racing...

"We're very motivated to keep pushing to the end and that's what this race is about sometimes, just pushing a bit more. We're going to give it everything we've got to beat them to Newport."

His counterpart on 11th Hour Racing Team, Charlie Enright, is up for the challenge.

"As we've seen in the last couple of days, the advantage goes back and forth very quickly," he said. "It looks very complicated (the approach to Newport). We go upwind, there's a lot of pressure, some circulation in the Gulf Stream. After that it's a real dog's breakfast with a bunch of stuff we'll have to deal with, but we'll deal with it and figure it out.

"It's hard to believe that with less than a thousand miles to go we still have about three days of racing, but that's the way the cookie crumbles."

Sunday 7 May

21:00

One for the sailing techies out there...fancy manning the 'piano' whilst trying to navigate the high seas...?

14:00

Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing continue their battle for supremacy on the 14th day of racing during Leg 4 of the Ocean Race.

Team Malizia & 11th Hour Racing continue battle for supremacy - Ocean Race Daily Recap

"We're very motivated to keep pushing to the end and that's what this race is about sometimes, just pushing a bit more. We're going to give it everything we've got to beat them to Newport."

His counterpart on 11th Hour Racing Team, Charlie Enright added: "As we've seen in the last couple of days, the advantage goes back and forth very quickly," he said. "It looks very complicated [the approach to Newport]. We go upwind, there's a lot of pressure, some circulation in the Gulf Stream. After that it's a real dog's breakfast with a bunch of stuff we'll have to deal with, but we'll deal with it and figure it out.

"It's hard to believe that with less than a thousand miles to go we still have about three days of racing, but that's the way the cookie crumbles."

08:00

Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing have both breached the 1,000 nautical miles to the finish marker and it is still far too close to call between the two leading boats. 11th Hour Racing Team remain in the lead but by just under six nautical miles.

Saturday 6 May

18:30

Too close to call as Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing battle it out – Ocean Race Daily Recap

Too close to call as Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing battle it out – Ocean Race Daily Recap

17:05

11th Hour Racing Team lead the way, but only just.

They hold a 6.6 nautical mile advantage over their nearest challenger, Team Malizia, with Biotherm 132.2nm back.

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe are a massive 230.1nm behind, with Holcim-PRB's boat en route to the United States for its mast repair.

12:00

There are dangers aplenty in the Ocean Race. Two – amongst others on the horizon – are the Bermuda Triangle and the Doldrums.

The Bermuda Triangle & the Doldrums – dangers ahead in the Ocean Race

08:00

11th Hour Racing Team have restored their lead but Team Malizia are hot on the heels of Simon Fisher's crew as the boats charge across the North Atlantic Ocean.

Friday 5 May

17:15

Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing remain close rivals as they both put in successful gybes in the morning.

Malizia remain ahead with just under 10 miles' lead, and the two boats are heading towards the US southeast coast.

The wind is due to change again, so everything is to play for.

13:00

There have been big gains for Team Malizia over the last 24hrs as they surged past 11th Hour Racing Team to assume the lead of the race. They lead 11th Hour Racing Team by nine nautical miles at 13:00 UK time.

Thursday 4 May

18:00

Team Malizia have edged ahead of 11th Hour Racing Team on leg 4 of The Ocean Race as the teams charge north, with the conditions favourable for high-speed sailing and the former chasing a 575-mile run over the past 24 hours.

"It's getting bouncy at the moment, but the good news is that we've caught up with 11th Hour Racing Team," Team Malizia's skipper Will Harris said. "It would be great if we can leave the trade winds and go into the final part of the leg at least on a level playing field with them."

11th Hour Racing Team skipper said Simon Fisher added: "Things are getting a little more bearable onboard, temperature-wise. It's fast sailing but the sea state is getting gradually worse. We're happy pushing forward at between 20-25 knots, we've had a good battle with Team Malizia..."

The leading boats will be moving into a new phase of the leg in the next 24 hours or so on the approach to Newport.

Wednesday 3 May

15:45

The three leading teams are just 50 miles apart on the leaderboard at the Ocean Race, with 11th Hour Racing Team at the head of the pack.

Just behind them are Team Malizia and Biotherm, with GUYOT environnement - Team Europe some way back in fourth spot.

The boats are speeding along at an average of between 22 and 24 knots, covering nearly 500 miles in 24-hour runs, assisted by the tradewinds.

Simon Fisher from 11th Hour Racing reflected on the action yesterday, when they battled through the doldrums.

"I think if you ask any sailor in The Ocean Race about the worst thing in the doldrums they would probably say, 'the squalls'," said Fisher.

"Of course you can get these days of calm that are frustrating, but there is always plenty of action in these squalls with big changes in direction and pressure."

Team Malizia's Will Harris added: "It's really tricky conditions. The wind is up and down and we have to trim all the time...You have to stay very focussed otherwise the boat kind of jumps and loses control or you end up going very slowly."

Tuesday 2 May

22:00

There's very little between the three leading boats at the moment.

Just 12 nautical miles separate leaders 11th Hour Racing Team and second-placed Team Malizia, with Biotherm a further 27 nautical miles back.

GUYOT environnement still have some ground to make up.

The next two to three days should see the leading teams heading nearly directly north in the easterly tradewinds.

18:00

After the leading trio - Team Malizia, 11th Hour Racing Team and Biotherm - crossed the Equator, the fourth team GUYOT environnement managed the same feat a short while ago.

12:00

The daily update for Tuesday has arrived!

Equator showers are the best showers! The Ocean Race Daily Update May 2

09:00

11th Hour Racing Team and Team Malizia are neck-and-neck at 08:00 on May 2. It was Malizia who crossed the equator first last on Monday but just two minutes ahead of 11th Hour Racing.

Biotherm – also now racing in the Northern Hemisphere - are 13.5 nautical miles further back.

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe are yet to cross the equator but have made up 30 nautical miles on the other three boats – they are 170.4 nautical miles behind the joint leaders.

Monday 1 May

22:00

Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing Team were the first and second boats respectively to cross the equator and return to the Northern Hemisphere.

After more than eight days of racing, there was only two minutes and three seconds between the boats as they reached the landmark at around 20:40 UK time.

15:00

Four IMOCAS are charging north towards the doldrums in a drag race directly north.

Teams will leave the north-eastern corner of Brazil to port, within 30 miles of Recife.

The journey has not gone well for GUYOT environnement - Team Europe after the team reported a broken 'foil down' line, which has cost them nearly 50 miles!

08:00

Team Malizia lead are vying with 11th Hour Racing Team at the top, with Biotherm. not too far behind. Guyot have to slow down to focus on repairs and the distance between themselves and top three has increased.

Sunday 30 April

13:00

Team Malizia find extra pace as they edge ahead - The Ocean Race Daily Recap for April 30

Team Malizia find extra pace as they edge ahead - The Ocean Race Daily Recap for April 30

10:00

Skipper Kevin Escoffier spoke more about the reasons behind the decision of Team Holcim-PRB to abandon Leg 4 of the race.

"The timeline is not possible in order to finish the Leg 4 or we could do a bad Leg 4 or a bad Leg 5," Escoffier said.

"So for me, we have to focus in being back at Leg 5 and for that we have to retire from this one.

"It's like an accident. In two seconds, everything is good and working well to a nightmare. I've been talking with the design office of our team and definitely the part that broke had been checked before and during the stopover in Itajaí.

"Definitely, there is something else but we'll look at that a bit later. Now we're focused on leg 5, to be back in Newport.

"We've got a crew that will be ready there and it will be a fresh, new start. I'm very proud for the job that has already been done and that will be done to be at the start in Newport with Holcim PRB."

Saturday 29 April

22:00

Skipper Kevin Escoffier has announced Team Holcim-PRB will abandon Leg 4 and rejoin Leg 5 after arriving in Rio.

"It's a very difficult decision to make, but common sense prevails," Escoffier said.

"Since our dismasting, the whole team has been totally focused on finding the best solutions so that we can get back into the competition in a solid way. Starting again on this fourth leg would allow us to take a point, but not to arrive in time to line up at the start of the next leg in Newport.

"But the sporting stakes of the fifth leg are very high and we want to be able to present ourselves at our best level for this leg which will count double. We are definitely still aiming for victory on this round the world race and in this perspective, this is the best decision we can make."

21:30

Team Holcim-PRB have arrived in Rio two days after losing their mast.

20:00

11th Hour Racing lead the Ocean Race following a day of challenging conditions, with the wind light and unstable.

The boats have picked up the pace a touch the last few hours, hitting speeds of 10+ knots after 24 hours of speeds as low as five knots.

Team Malizia are just four nautical miles in arrears of 11th Hour Racing at 20:00 UK time. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe are third at 25.5 nautical miles behind the leaders and Biotherm are 32.3 nautical miles shy of 11th Hour Racing.

18:00

Team Holcim-PRB's skipper Kevin Escoffier spoke to Niall Myant-Best as his team edged towards Rio.

Escoffier: We're doing the best we can

Friday 28 April

22:00

Team Malizia’s Nicolas Lunven has given his reaction to Team Holcim-PRB’s dismasting on Leg 4 of the Ocean Race.

‘It is a shame what happened to Holcim’ - Team Malizia’s Nicolas Lunven reacts to dismasting

16:10

There will be a change in direction in the coming 48 hours. Initially, racing had been close to the wind on port tack, taking teams offshore.

However, they should now expect to transition into building easterly tradewinds.

Speed could pick up from there and the pack is bunched up, making for some dramatic racing ahead.

"It's likely to be gusty but generally quite light," said Alan Roberts on Biotherm. "We have Malizia just a mile away, and GUYOT a bit further back and 11th Hour Racing just up in front of us...

"The fleet has been compressing for the last few hours and I think it's going to continue to do so. These next hours are going to be key to get into the new breeze and starting the next phase of the race which is going to be reaching up the Brazilian coast."

08:30

It's a lively four-way battle at the front, with 11th Hour Racing Team in the lead and just 10 nautical miles separating the boats. Holcim-PRB are continuing to carve towards Rio in a bid to fix their mast. Will they be able to repair and continue?

Thursday 27 April

20:00

After considering their options, Holcim-PRB are headed to Rio de Janeiro in order to repair the monohull and attempt to rejoin Leg 4 to Newport, to ensure they can earn at least one point for the competition. The team may reach land within 48 hours.

"We were in the lead with this new crew that joined us at the start of Itajaí. We are looking for the best solution to get back in the race as soon as possible," said Escoffier.

"The shore team has been working very hard since the dismasting to get us to Newport or the next leg as soon as possible. We worked all night to get as many things as possible back on board: the outriggers, the mast, the boom, the sails, the J2 are on board. I'm happy that we were able to do this last night, but of course I'm also deeply saddened by what happened. That's life."

17:10

Holcim-PRB have provided an update.

"We're very well. We were leading in with our fresh, new crew on Holcim-PRB. We had a mechanical failure and the mast came down," Skipper Kevin Escoffier said. "That's life. We are working now on a jury rig to go back to the harbour to be able to be back in the race as soon as possible. The team is working hard to find a solution."

With 19 of 20 points won from the first three legs, Escoffier is not giving up.

"If we are going to get to Newport, the start is on the 21 May, and if we can get there we will still be leading The Ocean Race, so we're working hard to make that happen," he added.

The team is looking at getting a spare mast in Brazil to re-enter the action in Leg 4 to secure at least a point. If that proves impossible, other options could include shipping the boat and spare mast separately to Newport in time for Leg 5, which has its own time constraints, or Aarhus for Leg 6.

16:20

With Holcim-PRB heading back to Brazil after their dismasting, 11th Hour Racing Team are clear in the lead.

That has seen Team Malizia move up in to second 10.7 nautical miles behind, with Biotherm 13.4nm back from the leaders.

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe are 22.7nm behind in fourth.

13:00

The latest daily report has landed.

In it, we catch up with Annie Lush from GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, who talks about seeing oil rigs up close.

"There were oil stations everywhere. I think at one point we went through a field of 30 oil rigs - there are these huge black forms, big lights burning," she says.

"It's quite a contrast to this morning where you don't see any affect by humans. And it's beautiful. It seems like whatever we touch, we ruin a bit. The oil stations are a bit scary to see actually."

'Scary to see' - Fleet navigate oil stations as Holcim-PRB lose mast

08:55

Drama. Holcim-PRB have dismasted!

"Skipper Kevin Escoffier has reported his team is safe," read a statement on the official website.

More information as we get it...

Wednesday 26 April

18:20

GUYOT environnement - Team Europe has more than just one plan for Leg 4, and the rest of the Ocean Race.

The team are aiming to collect plastic waste along the way, hoping to pick up 20,000 kilograms of the stuff over the last 12,000 nautical miles.

While their focus is of course overhauling Biotherm and chasing down the front two of Team Holcim PRB and 11th Hour before the leg is over, they also have noble environmental ambitions.

15:40

The five IMOCAs in action are stacking together as they look to rider the wind from the north-northeast, meaning the pair have to manoeuvre close together.

Team Holcim PRB and 11th Hour are separated by less than half a mile, with Biotherm and Team Malizia about 10 miles back, followed by GUYOT environnement-Team Europe another 15 miles back.

15:00

Challenging weather conditions have seen multiple lead changes as the teams sail upwind and through an area of heavy shipping traffic during Leg 4 of the Ocean Race. 11th Hour Racing Team and Team Holcim-PRB have been fighting it out at the head of the fleet.

11th Hour Racing Team and Team Holcim-PRB fight it out - The Ocean Race Daily Recap

11:00

The challenging weather conditions are making for a great Leg 4 of the Ocean Race.

Holcim-PRB have retaken the lead from 11th Hour Racing Team but they hold an advantage of just 0.5 nautical miles.

In fact, the whole fleet is separated by just over 28 nautical miles. Biotherm are third, Team Malizia sit fourth and GUYOT environnement – Team Europe are in fifth at 11:00 UK time.

Tuesday 25 April

16:30

Teams are battling to find favourable conditions ahead of them on leg 4, as they look to deal with inclement weather.

"There's just a lot of random 'cloudage' going on here," said 11th Hour Racing Team's Charlie Enright. "And at the moment it's not going our way."

For now, 11th Hour lead the way, ahead of Team Holcim-PRB and Biotherm as they race east.

"Things are tricky," said navigator Simon Fisher. "It's pretty messy. The game is to find our way offshore and find better pressure but it's a little challenging, with the windshifts."

"The shifts are up to 50-degrees," said Kevin Escoffier, on Holcim-PRB. "So even a small tack, maybe half an hour, we need to do something like that (or we lose a lot)."

"There are clouds in front - a dark zone - and the wind is very shifty," said Seb Simon on GUYOT environnement - Team Europe. "Sometimes it's a big lift, sometimes a header, sometimes lots of pressure, so it's hard to keep the speed. But the fleet is close and it's a huge speed test."

14:30

Just 30-odd nautical miles separate the five boats as they continue their path around Brazil, with 11th Hour Racing Team the current leaders.

Here's today recap on all the latest developments.

Poetry, a terrifying auto-tack and tight racing - The Ocean Race Daily Recap April 25

Monday 24 April

21:00

It's still nice and exciting at the front, with Holcim-PRB being tailed by GUYOT environnement - Team Europe.

Just 10 nautical miles separate the top five.

15:15

Catch up with all the action from the daily recap for April 24.

Keep it simple! - The Ocean Race Daily Recap for April 24

08:40

There's about 15 hours of racing on the clock so far in Leg 4 and there's not much between the teams.

Biotherm are narrowly ahead as the fleet head east into the Atlantic before pushing towards Newport. This leg covers 5,550 nautical miles and will see the boats return to the northern hemisphere.

Sunday 23 April

22:00

To wrap up an eventful day, here are your highlights of the start to Leg 4.

Watch highlights of the start to The Ocean Race 2022-23 Leg 4 as Biotherm take early lead

20:10

For those of you wanting to keep an eye on how Leg 4 is progressing, you can consult the live race tracker here. Next stop Newport!

20:00

We're at the end of a breathless day of sailing in Brazil! You can read our full report here.

18:50

A few quick thoughts now from a couple of the teams:

Rosalin Kuiper (Team Malizia): "[The start] was ok, it was intense. We made a mistake so Holcim could catch up, but we're in a good position now, so it's a good start. But it's a long leg, so much more to come."

Simon Fisher (11th Hour Racing Team): "We were maybe a little bit too eager [at the start]. We had ourselves right on the line so it's one of those 50-50 calls. In some ways it's quite nice having a few pathfinders in front of us letting us know how the wind goes."

18:40

A recap of the live Leg 4 standings as the five boats head out into the open water:

1. Biotherm

2. Team Holcim - PRB

3. Team Malizia

4. Guyot Environnment - Team Europe

5. 11th Hour Racing Team

18:30

The best of the photos now as Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 began.

Biotherm led the IMOCA boats out of Itajai on Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23.

Image credit: Other Agency

The boats jostle for position at the start of Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23.

Image credit: Other Agency

It was an intense fight for position on the way out of Itajai for the five IMOCA boats in The Ocean Race 2022-23.

Image credit: Other Agency

Guyot Environnement - Team Europe had to re-cross the start line on Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23.

Image credit: Other Agency

18:15

We're hearing now from Benjamin Dutreux, co-skipper of Guyot Environnement - Team Europe.

"The start was too early for us, but we have done a good comeback, a good manoeuvre," he said.

"The team is doing well, so we are in the game.

"I have a very good feeling."

18:10

The teams, led by Biotherm, are now out into the open seas, with the boats beginning to set themselves up in offshore mode. It's a glorious view back to Itajai, but for the sailors the Brazilian port will already be a distant memory.

18:00

Right, now here's that dramatic race start in full, as Guyot Environnement - Team Europe and 11th Hour Racing Team found themselves recalled...

'They're both being recalled!' - Drama at start of The Ocean Race Leg 4 as two boats jump start line

17:55

It's quite literally plain sailing for Biotherm at the moment as they make the most of the favourable conditions to extend their lead as they approach the course's leaving gate.

17:40

What an overtake from Team Holcim - PRB as they go into second!

17:30

It's been the ideal start for Biotherm...

17:25

And it's Biotherm who retain their lead as the boats head towards Mark 2, with Team Malizia in second and Team Holcim - PRB behind them in third.

Guyot Environnement - Team Europe and 11th Hour Racing Team are yet to reach Mark 1 after they both had to re-cross the start line.

17:20

As a result, it's Paul Meilhat's Biotherm who have stormed into the early lead, charging away from the shores of Itajai at a speed of 11 knots.

17:16

Oh drama! 11th Hour Racing Team and Guyot Environnement - Team Europe jumped the gun and have been called back to re-cross the start line!

17:15

We are underway with Leg 4 of The Ocean Race 2022-23! And what a start for Charlie Enright's 11th Hour Racing Team!

17:13

The boats are frantically jostling for position as just two minutes now remain before the starting horn...

17:10

Five-minute countdown!

17:08

A reminder of the leaderboard as we are just minutes away from getting underway:

Team Holcim - PRB: 19 points
Team Malizia: 14 pts
11th Hour Racing Team: 13 pts
Biotherm: 10 pts
Guyot Environnement - Team Europe: 2 pts

17:05

With meteorological conditions so critical to sailing, here's a quick weather update before the start:

Overview: Light showers
Temperature: 26 degrees celsius
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 18 KPH SSE

17:00

Skipper of overall leader Team Holcim - PRB Kevin Escoffier has been talking before the start about the personnel changes on his boat.

"The strategy behind that is to have a new energy on board, new skills, so that we continue to learn on this kind of boat."

16:50

It's quite the send-off from the bustling Brazilian port of Itajai...

16:40

And the final boat has docked out! There go GUYOT environnement - Team Europe, back on the start line after retiring from Leg 3.

16:30

Next it's the turn of current overall race leaders, Team Holcim - PRB.

16:00

The teams are beginning to say their farewells for the fourth time this race...

15:15

After around three weeks in dock, savour some of the last photos from Itajai as the boats move closer to their departure.

The Ocean Race 2022-23 boats in the dock in Itajai ahead of Leg 4.

Image credit: Other Agency

The Ocean Race 2022-23 scene in Itajai, Brazil.

Image credit: Other Agency

The Ocean Race 2023-23 boats are close to leaving Itajai.

Image credit: Other Agency

14:30

It's all hands on deck - literally - as the teams get their boats ready to take to the water later this afternoon...

13:35

Watch the Leg 3 review with a recap of all the exhilarating drama as the big finale nears.

The Ocean Race - Leg 3 review with recap of exhilarating drama

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The Ocean Race - Leg 3 review with recap of exhilarating drama

00:22:53

11:45

Watch the finish to the In-Port race at Itajai Brazil as 11th Hour Racing Team came home to take the victory in impressive style as well as increasing their lead at the top of the standings of the in-port race series.

'A very strong performance!' - 11th Hour Racing Team come home to take In-Port race

10:45

As we await the start of 'Super Sunday', hear from 11th Hour Racing Team skipper Charlie Enright as he discusses his team's impressive victory in the In-Port race in Itajai on Friday.

'It's all about the start!' - Enright thrilled to win In-Port race

Saturday 22 April

21:30

Super Sunday is nearly here! After the In-Port Race comes the bona fide Leg 4 beginning from Itajai, with the IMOCAs set to embark on their trail up the eastern seaboard of the United States.

11th Hour Racing Team will be sailing as close to home soil as is possible, and their skipper Charlie Enright is in bullish mood on their chances.

"This is an important leg for our team," he said.

"11th Hour Racing is from Newport, Rhode Island, I'm from Rhode Island too. And in a sense, this is our 11th Hour. We have a sense of urgency.

"We didn't have the leg we wanted in the last one... but we have a good squad on board and there are nearly 60% of the points left and we're going for them all!"

Here's more on how to follow tomorrow's Leg 4 start, which begins at 5.15pm UK time.

13:00

Missed yesterday's In-Port Race? Fear not, catch up with our highlights below.

Highlights: All the best action from the In-Port race at Itajai ahead of Leg 4

Friday 21 April

19:00

11th Hour Racing Team go top by themselves on 13 points with Team Malizia in second on 11 points and Biotherm and Team Holcim - PRB on seven points behind them and GUYOT environnement - Team Europe bottom on five points.

18:53

"It's all about the start my man!" says a happy Charlie Enright, skipper of 11th Hour Racing Team.

18:50

Good lord what a terrible bit of luck for Team Holcim-PRB as they watch Team Malizia and Will Harris overtake them in the final corner and the German team comes home for third place. What outrageous sailing that is, have you ever seen anything like it?

18:48

11th Hour Racing come home for the win! Brilliant performance. In second place Team Biotherm come home whilst Team Holcim-PRB are really struggling to hold on to third place here. All the drama! Can you believe it?!

18:35

It looks as if 11th Hour Racing Team are going to romp to a win here with no other boat currently able to match their pace. However you can never say never in the utterly thrilling and riveting world of The Ocean Race.

18:20

11th Hour continue to lead the way with Team Holcim-PRB doing their best to push them close

Oh but is that the breeze slowing down??

18:10

We are underway and my word what a blistering start that is from 11th Hour Racing Team.

18:05

We're five minutes away from the start! Hold on to your hats everyone!

17:20

The sailor's are on the docks and it's time for the parade!

16:30

We are around an hour away from the start of the in-port race, let's hear from the captains shall we?

Kevin Escoffier of Team Holcim PRB said “75% of the crew is changing here but it was always the plan, it’s nice to have new energy on board. These boats are prototypes and we’re still learning them, so fresh eyes are an asset.”

Benjamin Dutreux of GUYOT environnement - Team Europe added “We’re happy to back with the fleet. Retiring was hard for the whole team, not just the sailors. It was a sad moment but spirits are high now, we all want to do well.”

15:00

Ever wondered what Archimedean mode, scow bows and Dali foils are?

Wonder no more via this deep-dive into the subtle differences between the five IMOCA boats.

14:00

Hearts must have been in mouths as, ahead of today's In-Port race, Biotherm's boat dangled way above their Itajai dock for urgent repairs...

13:30

"The In Port Race Series is important as a tie-break, but whenever we are on the water we want to race and we care about where we finish," says 11th Hour Racing Team's Simon Fisher.

This afternoon's action promises much - here's a preview to get your teeth into.

12:45

How about some of the best photos from Leg 3? Go on then.

The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 23 March 2023, Leg 3 Day 25 onboard 11th Hour Racing Team.

Image credit: Eurosport

The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 2 March 2023, Leg 3 onboard Biotherm. Paul Meilhat watching the sunset.

Image credit: Eurosport

The Ocean Race 2022-23 - 12 March 2023, Leg 3, Day 14 onboard Team Holcim - PRB. Drone view.

Image credit: Other Agency

11:30

More now on the route for Leg 4, which sees the boats return to the northern hemisphere.

It's a 6,387-mile dash from their starting point of Itajai to Newport, Rhode Island, and will see the teams navigate up the east coast of the US.

Of concern for the boats? Huge clusters of Sargassum seaweed that are dotted along the route, oh and the small matter of navigating the Bermuda triangle...