Team Holcim-PRB secure 6th place in Vendée Globe
‘GO CIRCULAR’ skipper Nicolas Lunven crosses finish line sixth out of 40 in so-called ‘Everest of the Seas’
TEAM Holcim-PRB skipper Nicolas Lunven has successfully completed his first Vendée Globe, a single-handed round-the-world sailing race that takes place every four years. He finished sixth out of 40, and flew the GO CIRCULAR flag high in the furthest corners of the planet. Considered to be one of the ultimate tests of human endurance and perseverance, only 117 sailors before Nicolas have completed the so-called ‘Everest of the Seas’ over the race’s 35 years of existence.
While sailing in some of the most remote parts of the planet, Mr Lunven collected scientific data from an OceanPack device installed on the Team Holcim-PRB IMOCA boat to measure climate trends and the ocean’s health. This is in addition to a separate marine science data collection project through Holcim’s Circular Explorer vessel, a 100% solar-powered plastics recycling catamaran operating in the Philippines, which was recently featured in the ‘Ocean Titans’ series.
Mr Lunven said: ‘This was an incredible challenge that really made me push my limits. Although I was alone on board for 75 days, it is the extraordinary teamwork that made this adventure possible, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone on the team. Seeing the ocean in all its glory was truly humbling and an important reminder that we need to do all we can to preserve it.’
Holcim chief sustainability officer Nollaig Forrest remarked: ‘We are immensely proud of Nicolas’ record-breaking performance. He braved the elements, including storms with up to 10m waves and up to 65 knots of wind, sailed past the three famous capes, and passed Point Nemo – the most isolated point on the planet. His incredible achievement is testament to the unstoppable Holcim spirit.’
PRB chief executive officer Olivier Troussicot added: ‘Congratulations to our skipper, Nicolas Lunven, for his extraordinary performance in the Vendée Globe, finishing sixth in the largest edition yet, with 40 competitors. For over three decades, PRB have been a proud partner of this legendary race, and the return of our boat to the iconic channel of Les Sables d’Olonne is always an unforgettable moment. Following Nicolas’ incredible journey has been a source of immense inspiration for all of us.’
Team Holcim-PRB is already looking ahead to its next challenge – The Ocean Race Europe – after coming second in the round-the-world edition in 2023. Later this year, on 10 August, the team will be on the starting line in Kiel, with stopovers in the UK, Spain, and Italy, before crossing the finish line in Montenegro. This race will be a completely different challenge involving a crew and many short regattas, with Dutch sailor Rosalin Kuiper as the boat’s skipper.
