Closure for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

The Boka Bay Coastal Race on September 20 completed The Ocean Race Europe 2025, and as they did over and over again during the past six weeks, it was Paul Meilhat’s Biotherm who secured victory in Boka Bay, Montenegro. By finishing second, Paprec Arkéa locked up second spot overall while Holcim-PRB completed the final podium.

Team Malizia took fourth ahead of Allagrande Mapei Racing, thanks to a strong performance by Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive, who finished fifth on the day.

While Biotherm had already sealed overall victory, it was a who-beat-who for second between Paprec Arkéa (2nd, 34 pts) and Team Holcim-PRB (3rd, 33.5 pts) entering the final race.

In breeze slightly stronger than forecast (around 10 knots), the race was two laps around a rectangle course. Paprec Arkéa held the advantage on the first lap, but Biotherm had moved up to second, and eventually took the lead on the inside of a mark and never let it go.

“We’re so happy. We’ve lived together for two months with this goal in mind,” said Meilhat. “This victory is all bonus and pure happiness.”

Final Results:

Details: https://www.theoceanrace.com

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.

The 5-leg race started August 10 from Kiel, Germany with the 850-nautical mile opening Leg to Portsmouth, England. Leg 2 sees the fleet race 1,400 nautical miles to Caragena, Spain – via a fly-by in Matosinhos / Porto in Portugal. The 650-nautical mile third Leg through the Mediterranean finishes in Nice, France, before the fleet sets off on the planned-to-be 600-nautical mile fourth Leg to Genova, Italy. The approximately 1,000-nautical mile fifth and final Leg takes the crews into the Adriatic to the Race finish in Boka Bay in Montenegro.

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.

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: TORE