Conrad Colman and his crew aboard MSIG Europe have crossed the finish line of the inaugural Ocean Race Atlantic, completing nine demanding days of racing from New York to Lorient. The New Zealand skipper and his four crewmates finished the transatlantic crossing in 9 days, 7 hours and 40 minutes, capping an adventure defined by commitment, resilience and shared experience.
Having set sail on September 2, Conrad Colman was joined by Anna Marchant, Megan Thomson and Elie Pirnay for their first participation in The Ocean Race Atlantic. The team sailed the only right-handed daggerboard boat entered in the fleet, making their achievement all the more notable.
The crew got off to a flying start. During the opening hours, MSIG Europe stayed within striking distance of the leaders, sitting less than 50 miles behind the front-runners on day one. But as conditions intensified, the team gradually lost ground to an exceptionally competitive fleet.
Technical setbacks added to their challenges on the water. A problem with the headsail furling system disrupted their progress on Friday, before the boom track was torn away on Sunday. Midway through the crossing, as the sea state turned particularly rough, Colman voiced his concerns openly.
“The boat is struggling, and we’re being thrown around by the rough seas like we’re inside a washing machine. With the violent impacts on the rig, I’m worried we’re eventually going to break everything.”
Despite these difficulties, the crew never gave up. Three days after the start, they surprised the fleet by moving into third place in the super sprint, demonstrating their ability to compete against more powerful boats.
Beyond the sporting result, this inaugural edition represented a valuable opportunity for Conrad Colman to pass on his extensive offshore experience. The skipper chose to surround himself with a predominantly New Zealand crew, including Anna Marchant, Megan Thomson and Georgia Schofield, the latter joining as On-Board Reporter. Just days before the start, Elie Pirnay, a versatile boat preparation specialist, came aboard to replace Aaron Hume-Merry, who was forced to withdraw after suffering an injury during the delivery.
For these crew members, the crossing served as an introduction to offshore racing at the highest level. They were able to draw on Colman’s deep well of IMOCA experience while confronting the reality of a transatlantic race for the first time.
The mission of sharing and knowledge transfer appears to have been thoroughly accomplished, judging by the smiles on the faces of the four sailors as they arrived back in the port of Lorient. It was a fitting conclusion to a race that tested every member of the team and rewarded them with memories to last a lifetime.
