Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing both suspend racing amid high drama at the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23 Leg 3

Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing both decided to suspend racing amid high drama at the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23 Leg 3. With Cape Town's Table Mountain providing a stunning backdrop, the five boats began their 12,750-nautical mile journey to Itajai, Brazil — the longest leg in the race's history.

Ad And there was drama right from the beginning of the leg as four of the five boats got stuck in a low-wind compression, while Biotherm were the only ones to time their advance to the start line correctly, charging away from the rest. The Ocean Race'We broke the loop' — Paul Meilhat explains exactly what went wrong on Biotherm boat42 MINUTES AGO It was almost two minutes before another boat even passed the start line, as the wind conditions seemed to go from strong to very little in a matter of moments.

Biotherm held their advantage as the boats progressed out to the first mark of the inshore course, but it was all change soon after as they tacked too early, letting Team Malizia slip past them into the lead of the race. And it went from bad to worse for Paul Meilhat and Biotherm thereafter as a breakage to the loop on their mainsail attachment saw them decide to suspend racing and head back to shore — but not before they had completed the in-port section of the start, so they wouldn't have to re-do it when they once again take to the water.