New faces join Biotherm and Malizia for the race up to Newport
Team Malizia and Biotherm have announced crew changes ahead of leg 4.
British sailor Will Harris will be Team Malizia’s skipper for the fourth stage of The Ocean Race, taking over the role for the second time, as Boris Herrmann steps off for the leg from Itajaí to Newport, Rhode Island.
And a new face joins the team as French offshore sailor Christopher Pratt will be on board for leg 4.
This is a scheduled change for the team and Pratt comes with a wealth of experience having co-skippered the IMOCA Charal with Jérémie Beyou for four years, and taking podium finishes in the 2019 and 2021 editions of the Transat Jacques Vabre, along with campaigns on other well-known French teams like Maître Coq and Banque Populaire.
“I am really happy to join Team Malizia on the next leg of The Ocean Race. Taking part in this race is a childhood dream come true,” Pratt said. “I have been following the race very closely from the start and even more during the last leg. I am impressed by the commitment and the resilience of the crew winning the longest leg of the race. I am really looking forward to joining the team in Itajaí and I will do my best to bring my experience and enthusiasm to the crew.”
In addition to Will Harris and Christopher Pratt, Nicolas Lunven is also confirmed for the next leg and Rosalin Kuiper – currently back home in the Netherlands and recovering well from her concussion – is planning to return a week before the start to join the crew. Antoine Auriol will be back as onboard reporter.
Biotherm to race with two women on board for leg 4
Biotherm skipper Paul Meilhat has also announced his crew line-up for leg 4.
The British sailor Alan Roberts, a specialist in the Figaro class, will join Meilhat along with Marie Riou, a four-time world champion and a winner of The Ocean Race in 2017-18 with Dongfeng Race Team. The Portuguese Olympian and World Champion, Mariana Lobato, will also be on board.
Biotherm will become the first team in The Ocean Race to start a leg with an equal split of two male and two female crew racing the boat. With Anne Beaugé returning as on-board reporter, three women will be on board for the leg to Newport.
