Who will start The Ocean Race 2027?

The countdown for The Ocean Race 2027 is running out of ticks as the 15th edition will get underway on January 17 in Alicante, Spain.

The 5-leg course begins with one of the toughest opening tests in the 54-year history of the event – a massive, record-breaking 14,000 nautical mile passage from Alicante to Auckland, New Zealand.

“This is the one we’re looking forward to the most,” said Mariana Lobato, the co-skipper (alongside France’s Paul Meilhat) of the United by the Ocean Team that just claimed victory in The Ocean Race Atlantic earlier this month.

“As an opening leg, this has everything; the Mediterranean departure from Alicante, a descent of the Atlantic Ocean, including the doldrums, and then a good stretch in the southern oceans before coming up to Auckland.

“It takes us nearly halfway around the world and will require a lot of preparation and planning. And that’s our focus for the next three months, getting our boat and team ready to take on the challenge.”

Racing the IMOCA 60-footer, teams of four will include at least one female and comprise of at least two nations.

Entry period is open with four confirmed:
• DMG MORI Global One – Kojiro Shiraishi(JPN)
• Embrace the Challenge – Oliver Heer (SUI)
• Team Malizia – Boris Herrmann (GER)
• United by the Ocean – Paul Meilhat (FRA)

Conrad Colman (NZL) and his MSIG Europe are very close to committing, while two to three other projects are pushing hard to be there.

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.

Race Route*:
• Alicante, Spain (Start, Jan 8-17)
• Auckland, New Zealand (Feb 20-Mar 14)
• Itajaí, Brazil (Mar 31-Apr 18)
• St. Petersburg, USA (May 4-16)
• Cascais, Portugal (May 26-Jun 6)
• AMAALA, Saudi Arabia (Finish, Jul 1-5)

* One more stopover in the Mediterranean prior to the finish may be added to the race route.
Source: The Ocean Race