The second edition of this multi-stage event is coming to a town near you. Prepare to join in the fun, as well as supporting the mission to protect and restore the health of our oceans
Words: Sue Pelling
The countdown to the start is on for the Ocean Race Europe which is fast becoming one of Europe’s most influential events not only in terms of top class, competitive racing, but also as a platform to showcase the work it’s carrying out to promote ocean health and sustainability. As the title of the race suggests, the strong diplomatic theme connecting Europe through sailing, has never been more significant, particularly given current global politics.
Building on the success of the inaugural event in the summer of 2021, the second edition of the Ocean Race Europe, starts on 10 August from Kiel (Germany), and concludes approximately six weeks later in Boka Bay (Montenegro). Taking place in foiling IMOCA monohulls, this European tour is the first of two major multi-stage offshore races leading up to the 2027 Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race/ Volvo Ocean Race). The second event on the Ocean Race calendar – the Ocean Race Atlantic (New York to Barcelona) – is scheduled to take place next year (September 2026).
A total of seven uber-professional teams are signed up for the event which will take them on a 2,000nm (3,218km) sprint around Europe from the Baltic Sea, through the North Sea and English Channel, into the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean before a finish in Boka Bay (Montenegro). The varied course means competitors will face a multitude of conditions with potentially testing conditions in places like the exposed Bay of Biscay, to the more sheltered and sometimes flatter waters in parts of the Med.
This will be the first time ever this race, or the Ocean race, has visited the Adriatic Sea. A stopover in Nice’s Baie des Anges (29-31 August) as it celebrates its Year of the Sea, will add a new dimension to the event this time round too, particularly as it recently played host to the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference. It also marks the first time ever the Mediterranean coast of France has been included in the Ocean Race.
Yoann Richomme – skipper of Paprec Arkéa, and winner of the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe in 2021 in the VO65 class commented: “I’m very happy that The Ocean Race Europe is stopping in Nice. I was born in Fréjus, not so far away, and I’ve raced a lot in the South of France during my career. I also have family ties to Nice. I know the city well, and it’s truly fantastic to be able to show off our incredible IMOCA racing boats there.
Visiting a new French city on The Ocean Race Europe was something we really wanted to see happen, and it’s excellent news. It will be a real pleasure to meet the public on the Côte d’Azur.”
SAVE OUR OCEANS
With a passion to support and contribute to the scientific research to help maintain the health of our oceans, competitors will be participating in ocean science initiatives while competing. Using on board scientific instruments, they will be collecting important ocean data and water samples which will be shared with science organisations to analyse. The results will ultimately not only help the community better understand the current state of our seas and wildlife, and the critical role the ocean plays in the health of the planet, but also hopefully encourage them to take action to help safeguard the health of the ocean.
Dr Stefan Raimund, Scientific Advisor to The Ocean Race, who oversees the installation and performance of the equipment said: “In The Ocean Race Europe, we will collect vital ocean data such as salinity and temperature, as well as gather samples for microplastics and environmental DNA (eDNA), contributing to a more complete understanding of European waters in 2025.”
RACE BOATS
The IMOCA 60s (rules governed by the International Monohull Open Class Association) with its powerful sail plan, canting keel, and retractable underwater foils that further boost performance by lifting the boat partially out of the water, will not only ensure close racing, speed and excitement, but will also provide a good indication of early form for the forthcoming 2027 round the world race.
Although designers of this restricted/ development class are free to experiment with hull and sail shapes within set IMOCA parameters, masts, booms and standing rigging are one-design, which means they are all the same.
CREW LINE UP
Each team will have four crew members (including one female and two nationalities) plus an onboard reporter. The current line up of six confirmed teams includes many of the world’s most talented and hugely successful offshore sailors, such as Yoann Richomme, who’ll be there to defend his title, and Boris Herrmann (GER) – skipper of Team Maliza.
He has raced around the world six times: doublehanded, fully-crewed, and solo including the Vendée Globe twice (2020/2021 and (2024/)2025, and The Ocean Race 2022/2023. He will be joined by Will Harris (GBR) another serial global professional sailor who will take on the role as a co-skipper.
Franck Cammas (FRA) is joining the crew of Rosalin Kuiper’s (FRA) Holcim – PRB. He is known for his exceptional talent in both offshore racing and multihull sailing with multiple wins in the world’s most iconic ocean races including the Volvo Ocean Race (VO70) 2011-12 with Groupama Sailing Team, and four-times winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (2001, 2003, 2007, 2021).
Thomas Ruyant (FRA), whose previous successes include Mini Transat, Route du Rhum, Vendée Globe, and third place in The Ocean Race Europe (2021) will, this time, be taking the role on his boat
(Allagrande Mapei Racing) as co-skipper to Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA).
Other top, successful British sailors taking part in crewing roles include Sam Goodchild, and Jack Bouttell aboard Paul Meilhat’s (FRA) Biotherm, and Alan Roberts on Holcim – PRB.
Finally, one of the most recent recruits is Pip Hare who’ll be joining Scott Shawyer (CAN) aboard Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive. Hare, is one of the world’s most talented and respected offshore racing sailors. She first rose to international recognition during the 2020/21 Vendée Globe, where she won the hearts of thousands of race followers, and again in November last year when her IMOCA Medallia was dismasted during the 2024/25 Vendée Globe.
WATCH OUT
There is no doubt this event, which is visiting the Mediterranean coast of France for the first time, will be one of the summer highlights with visitors to the area, including those moored off in places like Nice, Genova, and Boka Bay being able to watch these super-professional teams at work, as they engage in close, competitive racing before they take a well-earned, albeit brief, rest.
WHEN
10 August-21 September 2025
HOST CITIES IN ORDER
Start: Kiel, Germany
Portsmouth, United Kingdom: 14-17 August
Matosinhos/Porto, Portugal: Fly-By 20 August
Cartagena, Spain: 23-26 August Nice, France: 29-31 August Genova, Italy: 3-7 September
Boka Bay, Montenegro: 15-21 September
TEAMS/SKIPPERS
Germany – Team Malizia – Boris Herrmann
Switzerland – Team Holcim – PRB – Rosalin Kuiper
France -Team Paprec Arkéa – Yoann Richomme
Canada – Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive Sailing Team – Scott Shawyer
Italy – Allagrande Mapei Racing – Ambrogio Beccaria
France – Biotherm – Paul Meilhat Germany – Team to be announced
