Big change for The Ocean Race 2027

With just a year until the start of The Ocean Race 2027, the world’s top fully-crewed offshore sailing competition confirms a record-breaking opening leg that will take crews halfway around the world.

On January 17, the IMOCA fleet will depart from Alicante, Spain for an unprecedented first leg that will take them past the traditional stopover in South Africa and extend to Auckland, New Zealand. At 14,000 nm, it will be the longest opening leg in The Ocean Race’s 53-year history.

“The Ocean Race represents the pinnacle of professional offshore sailing,” said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman. “The 2027 edition raises the bar once again with a route that will challenge even the most accomplished sailors in our sport.”

Adds Boris Herrmann, skipper, Team Malizia: “For sailors, this is what we love, spending time at sea, racing against top competition and taking on big challenges. This is where you learn about yourself and your teammates and forge bonds that last a lifetime.”

This route is a significant change from The Ocean Race 2023 which began from Alicante to Cabo Verde Island (2,401 nm), then to Cape Town, South Africa (6,500 nm) before extending to Itajaí, Brazil (14,840 nm).

From Auckland, the 2027 edition will race 7,600 nm to Itajaí, Brazil, which was the longest leg of the 2017-18 race. Subsequent stopovers yet to be announced will be in the USA and Europe before the fleet continues in the Mediterranean to Port Said, Egypt before transiting the Suez Canal for the final leg in early summer through the Red Sea to  AMAALA, Saudi Arabia.

No teams have been announced for The Ocean Race 2027, but it is anticipated that many will participate in The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 from New York to Europe.

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

The 15th edition of The Ocean Race around the world will start from Alicante, Spain on January 17, 2027. It will be the sixth consecutive time the race has started from this venue which is home for both Race HQ and The Ocean Race Museo.

Racing the IMOCA 60-footer, teams of four will include at least one female and comprise of at least two nations. The complete route has not been confirmed but includes:

• Alicante, Spain (start)
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Itajaí, Brazil
• Port Said, Egypt
• AMAALA, Saudi Arabia (finish)