The Offshore Team Germany with Skipper Robert Stanjek won the The Ocean Race Europe with a one point lead! Ranking second in the final sprint race off Genua the OTG gained overall victory after three exciting weeks. In the field of five Imocas it's been the triumph of the youngest campaign with the oldest boat.
„We're incredibly proud, above all, how the team got together. Our plan to combine olympic competence with offshore and Imoca expertise, has proven highly successful. This way we were able to compete as non-foilers, too. Of course the conditions helped. We complied with these Med-conditions, we optimized the sails especially for this purpose“, said team manager Jens Kuphal.
The inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe led from Lorient/France to Genova/Italy, with stops in Cascais/Portugal and Alicante/Spain.
The first leg from Lorient/France to Cascais/Portugal ended for the Offshore Team Germany with a furious final. In the finish sprint the OTG fought by hook or by crook against the superiority of the foiling imocas. In the last section they chose a mid-field position and finally slipped off the podium.
On the second leg from Cascais/Portugal to Alicante/Spain it's been again a close battle for the podium ranking, which the OTG now was able to take after the 4th rank in leg one. The team around skipper Robert Stanjek crossed the finish line ranking second after „LinkedOut“ (France)!
In the Offshore Pro Team Circuit the Team gained the surprising stage win of the 3rd leg from Alicante/Spain to Genova/Italy – after days long single turn in the med, after uphill struggle for every metre and successful defense of the interim huge lead skipper Robert Stanjek's crew arrived first at the port of destination!