Thread: Sporting News

Crew changes mark start of second half of The Ocean Race

Crew rotation is proving to be a big feature in this edition of The Ocean Race. For Leg 4, some big crew changes are afoot, for two of the teams in particular.

We’re pretty much at the half-way stage of the race, with approximately 55% of the points still remaining, so if you’re going to make some changes, Itajaí seems like a sensible place to do it.

However, it’s often said that in offshore racing, experience is everything. So with multiple crew changes on Team Holcim-PRB, for example, does this make the overall race leader vulnerable going into Leg 4? Could this be an opportunity for the other teams to push skipper Kevin Escoffier and his new line-up? Or will fresh bodies and minds prove to be a positive for the team.

Ahead of Friday's Itajaí In Port Race, and Sunday's leg 4 start, here is a rundown of who’s made what changes in their crew rosters.

Team Malizia

British sailor Will Harris will be Team Malizia’s skipper for Leg 4 of The Ocean Race, taking over the role for the second time in the round-the-world race. New addition to the international team is French offshore sailor Christopher Pratt (FRA). He will replace Boris Herrmann who, as planned, is sitting out the race from Itajaí to Newport. Pratt has a wealth of IMOCA experience across various projects on the French racing circuit. “I am really happy to join Team Malizia on the next leg of The Ocean Race,” said the 42-year-old Frenchman. “Taking part in this race is a childhood dream come true. 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.”

11th Hour Racing Team

Francesca Clapcich (ITA) steps back on board 11th Hour Racing Team, taking the place of Justine Mettraux (SUI), part of their regular rotation. Jack Bouttell (AUS/ GBR) is doing the In-Port Race in Itajaí but steps off the boat for leg 4, with shore-based team member Damian Foxall (IRL) joining the race crew for the first time. The Irishman is a six-time veteran of The Ocean Race, with over 450,000 nautical miles under his belt. “I was really pleased when Charlie asked me if I would sail onboard for this next Leg to Newport,” commented Foxall. “Every time the race has come to Itajaí, I’ve either sailed into or out of the city, so I’m really proud to be doing it once again. I’ll be stepping into some big boots and racing alongside fantastic sailors across the fleet, but we have what I believe is one of the best boats for this leg, so I’m looking forward to getting going.”

Olympian Clapcich is looking forward to getting back on board the boat. “It has been almost two months since I’ve raced on board, and I have missed it. I am raring to go, and we will be pushing as hard as we can to climb that leaderboard. Now is our time. Before leaving home, I told my wife: ‘We are going to win this leg.’ I also think it’s good to come in fresh, without having sailed the previous leg, which is what Damian and I will be doing. This is an important leg for the team, and I’m pleased to be on board for it.”

The other 3 teams in the link above

https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/news...The-Ocean-Race

The world's richest athletes have gotten richer

The world's richest athletes have never made more money than they're earning right now.

By the numbers: The 10 highest-paid athletes collected a record $1.11 billion before taxes both on and off the field from May 2022 to May 2023, per Forbes' estimates. That's up 12% from a year ago ($990 million) and up 5% from the previous record set in 2018 ($1.06 billion).

The big picture: The record was achieved in part due to all the Middle Eastern money flowing into pro sports, with half of the top 10 earning sizable paychecks from either Saudis or Qataris.

• No. 1 Cristiano Ronaldo ($136M): He tops the list for the first time since 2017 thanks to his $75 million annual contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr.
• No. 2 Lionel Messi ($130M): Half his earnings came on the field playing for Qatari-owned PSG. He's also a Saudi Arabian tourism ambassador, earning as much as $30 million annually, per The Athletic.
• No. 3 Kylian Mbappé ($120M): Messi's PSG teammate makes his top-10 debut after ranking 35th last year. At 24, he's the only member of the list under 30 years old.
• No. 6 Dustin Johnson ($107M): DJ's deal with Saudi-backed LIV Golf guaranteed him as much as $150 million, and his $35.6 million in winnings last season led all players.
• No. 7 Phil Mickelson ($106M): Lefty didn't win much, but LIV paid him $200 million just to join their breakaway tour.

In related news … PSG suspended Messi for two weeks without pay on Tuesday after he took an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia to honor his ambassadorship.

• Mage wins the 149th Kentucky Derby

Mage sprinted to victory Saturday at the scratch-filled 149th Kentucky Derby, bringing trainer Gustavo Delgado and jockey Javier Castellano their first garland of roses.

Capping a sad and tumultuous week at famed Churchill Downs, the speedster — a grandson of 2007 Preakness champ Curlin and 2008 Derby winner Big Brown — stayed close to the lead throughout before finding a second wind down the stretch at Churchill Downs.

Mage had raised eyebrows with an impressive place finish at the Florida Derby five weeks ago, in race won by Forte, the favorite that day, but Forte was scratched ahead of Saturday's running.

Mage's path to Triple Crown glory will now run through Baltimore, where the 148th running of the Preakness is set for May 20 at Pimlico Race Course.

The Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of horse racing's holy trinity, is set for June 10, just outside of New York City.