Countdown to The Ocean Race Europe

With the start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 on August 10, final preparations are taking place for the fleet of foiling 60-foot IMOCA yachts competing on the 7-stage race from Baltic seaport Kiel, Germany to Boka Bay, Montenegro in the Adriatic Sea.

Seven mixed‑gender IMOCA teams will race 4,500 nautical miles through the North Sea, English Channel, Atlantic, and Mediterranean to finish for the first time ever in the Adriatic Sea.

This second edition of The Ocean Race Europe builds on the momentum of 2021 inaugural event, this time under the banner “Connecting Europe”, with a route that includes a first‑ever crossing of the Adriatic and a final coastal showdown in one of Europe’s most dramatic natural harbors.

The event has an impactful ocean health component, “Racing for the Ocean”, including each team utilizing onboard science equipment along with robust learning and outreach programs in each stopover.

The entrants feature a team of five, representing at least two nationalities, with at least one female crew member, bringing together solo round‑the‑world veterans, rising offshore talent, and onboard reporters to share the experience.

Entry list:
Team Malizia (GER) – Boris Herrmann (GER)
Team Holcim – PRB (SUI) – Rosalin Kuiper (NED)
Team Paprec Arkéa (FRA) – Yoann Richomme (FRA)
Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive (CAN) – Scott Shawyer (CAN)
Allagrande Mapei Racing (ITA) – Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA)
Biotherm (FRA) – Paul Meilhat (FRA)
Team AMAALA (SUI/KSA) – Alan Roura (SUI)

Race facts:
• Distance: 4,500 nautical miles across five Legs.
• Yacht-Type: High-speed IMOCA 60s, capable of reaching 25+ knots.
• Crews: 4 sailors per boat, representing at least two nationalities and with at least one female crew member. And 1 onboard reporter.
• Nations represented: Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal.
• Historic firsts: First time racing into the Adriatic Sea and Montenegro finish.
• Tracking: Live GPS race tracker powered by ‘PredictWind’, with weather overlays and real-time routing.

Details: https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/

The Ocean Race will begin again in 2027 using the IMOCA class boat, with two earlier events providing training and exposure to prospective teams. In 2025, The Ocean Race Europe will start on August 10 from Kiel, Germany and take a route south around the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean Sea. In 2026, The Ocean Race Atlantic will start in New York, USA and finish in Barcelona, Spain.

Source: The Ocean Race