The Ocean Race Europe 2025: From Kiel to the Adriatic, a 4,500-Nautical Mile Offshore Challenge
The second edition of The Ocean Race Europe will set sail this Sunday, August 10, from Kiel, Germany. Seven IMOCA teams are entered in this 4,500-nautical mile course divided into five stages. Listed on the IMOCA Globe Series Championship calendar, the race promises an intense sporting confrontation across varied conditions, while promoting environmental awareness and a broader media presence.
A 4,500-Nautical Mile Offshore Course Designed for High Intensity
Five Legs Connecting the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Adriatic
The 2025 route stands out for its geographical and meteorological diversity, with legs designed to push IMOCA boats and crews to their limits:
| Leg | Start | Finish | Estimated Distance | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiel (Germany) | Portsmouth (UK) | ~1,000 nm | Technical and fast leg |
| 2 | Cowes (UK) | Cartagena (Spain) | ~1,800 nm | Double-points leg, with a fly-by in Matosinhos |
| 3 | Cartagena | Nice (France) | ~500 nm | Classic Mediterranean leg |
| 4 | Nice | Genoa (Italy) | ~200 nm | Short but tactical leg |
| 5 | Genoa | Boka Bay (Montenegro) | ~1,000 nm | Final inshore leg, potentially decisive |
The final stage will include a coastal race in Boka Bay, Montenegro, on September 20. With such a tightly contested field, this leg could prove decisive for the overall standings.
An Elite Fleet Pushing Performance Boundaries
The Teams Entered
Seven IMOCA crews have registered, bringing together some of the top talents in offshore racing:
- Paprec Arkéa – Skipper: Yoann Richomme
- Allagrande Mapei Racing – Skipper: Ambrogio Beccaria
- Holcim-PRB – Skipper: Rosalin Kuiper
- Biotherm – Skipper: Paul Meilhat
- Team Malizia – Skipper: Boris Herrmann
- Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive – Formerly 11th Hour Racing
- A seventh international team yet to be confirmed
These teams include sailors from 13 nationalities, with 11 skippers from the last Vendée Globe and 6 former winners of The Ocean Race.
Next-Generation IMOCA Boats
Among the seven boats on the start line:
- Six are foiling boats launched between 2021 and 2023
- Two are Koch/Finot-Conq sisterships (Paprec Arkéa, Allagrande Mapei Racing)
- Four participated in the most recent edition of The Ocean Race
A Revamped Sporting Format with Tactical Innovations
What’s New for 2025
This edition introduces several key innovations:
- Bonus Scoring Gates:
- Positioned early in each leg (except the final)
- Two points awarded to the first, one to the second
- Rewards fast, aggressive starts
- Matosinhos Fly-by (Portugal):
- Mandatory 3-hour stopover
- Race order preserved
- Designed to boost media coverage and fan engagement
- Final Coastal Race in Boka Bay:
- Same points as offshore legs
- Could determine final standings in case of tight margins
A Shore-Side Event: Mediation, Education and Engagement
Unlike the 2021 edition impacted by the pandemic, the 2025 event places strong emphasis on public interaction:
- Ocean Life Parks at each port:
- Animations, exhibitions, crew meet & greets
- Pro-am runs and educational activities
- Strong involvement of local school groups
- Enhanced Media Coverage:
- A media crew member onboard every boat
- Continuous image and content production for social media and sponsors
Science at the Heart of the Race
As part of the Racing for the Ocean initiative, each IMOCA will carry oceanographic sensors. The data collected includes:
- Sea surface temperature
- Dissolved CO₂ levels
- Microplastic concentration
- Salinity
- Oxygen levels
This real-time data, collected in often inaccessible regions, contributes to climate research and helps monitor the health of the world’s oceans.
A Strategic Sporting Event within the IMOCA Circuit
The Ocean Race Europe is part of the official IMOCA Globe Series calendar. Like the 2023 edition, it is considered a strategic opportunity for many teams:
- It allows teams to test different crew configurations ahead of 2027
- It offers points toward the IMOCA Championship, impacting Vendée Globe qualification
- It serves as a showcase for sponsors and a testing ground for technological innovation
With its revamped format, high-level fleet, and strong environmental commitment, The Ocean Race Europe 2025 fully embodies the modern vision of offshore sailing. For the participating teams, the race is more than a competition—it’s a full-scale test, a media opportunity, and a technological showcase. In this context of maximum intensity, every mile will count.
