Life on board The Ocean Race
Leg 2: Cabo Verde – Cape Town
February 20, 2023
2 min read
For nearly 4,700 nautical miles, the five IMOCA teams competing in leg 2 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 dueled south from Cabo Verde towards the finish line just off the V+A Waterfront of Cape Town. Here's a glimpse of life on board the yacht of GUYOT environnement - Team Europe.
All images and videos in this article are credited to Charles Drapeau. The 25-year-old Frenchman has been sailing since he was ten years old and has been closely associated with skipper Benjamin Dutreux since the Vendée Globe 2020/21. With his great understanding of sailing on IMOCA, his technical expertise due to his engineering studies, and his experience with the crew, he's now documenting The Ocean Race as Onboard Reporter for GUYOT environnement - Team Europe.
Crossing the Equator – The Rituals
For centuries, sailors crossing the equator have been subjected to various ceremonies and rituals that symbolize their initiation into the realm of the sea gods. The most well-known tradition is the Shellback Ceremony, where Pollywogs (sailors who have not crossed the equator before) undergo various tests and challenges to prove their worthiness to become Shellbacks (sailors who have already crossed the equator). These challenges often involve being shaved with a rusty razor, dunked in a pool of seawater mixed with disgusting substances, and crawling through a maze of obstacles while being pelted with raw eggs and flour. While these rituals may seem strange to outsiders, they serve an important purpose in reinforcing the bonds of camaraderie and tradition within the seafaring community, and remind sailors of the dangers and uncertainties of life at sea.
When GUYOT environnement - Team Europe crossed the equator on January 31st, it was Charles', Robert's, and Phillip's turn to subject themselves to the whims of King Neptune and his court.
Leg 2: Cabo Verde – Cape Town
4,600 nautical miles
Start: January 25th
Finish: February 12th
Results:
1. Team Holcim-PRB -- 17d 19h 00m 09s
2. Biotherm -- 17d 19h 16min 54s
3. 11th Hour Racing Team -- 17d 19h 25min 40s
4. Team Malizia -- 17d 21h 06min 49s
5. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe -- 17d 22h 46min 27s
Follow GUYOT environnement - Team Europe
SHOP THE OCEAN RACE COLLECTION
Unisex Ocean Race Crew Cap 2.0
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Women's Ocean Race T-shirt
Kids’ and Juniors’ Ocean Race 3-Layer Sailing Shell Jacket
Kids' and Juniors' Ocean Race Organic Cotton T-shirt
