News
20 SEP 2025: Boka Bay Coastal Race and award ceremony

---

Biotherm takes victory in the Castel Race and thus emphasises its overall victory in The Ocean Race Europe

With second place on Saturday afternoon, Paprec Arkéa secured second place overall, while Holcim-PRB completed the podium. Team Malizia finished fourth ahead of Allagrande Mapei Racing thanks to a strong performance from Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive, who finished fifth on the day.

It was a fitting finale: a stunning backdrop in Montenegro and a thrilling battle to conclude the second edition of The Ocean Race Europe. The coastal race took place in Boka Bay, where the teams had been based since Monday. Under bright blue skies, the seven competitors made the final race an unforgettable experience.

While Biotherm had already secured the overall victory, the battle for the remaining podium places was still wide open. Would Paprec Arkéa (2nd, 34 points) or Team Holcim-PRB (3rd, 33.5 points) take second place? And who would finish just behind the podium? Allagrande Mapei Racing (33.5 points) or Team Malizia (23 points)?

The sailing parade in Tivat – the teams go on board for the last time

A top start for Yoann Richomme and Paprec Arkéa

The battle intensified right from the start in slightly stronger winds than forecast (around 10 knots). Paprec Arkéa took the advantage at the first and second marks and set the pace at the front of the race. Behind them, Holcim-PRB lost ground after a clumsy manoeuvre and had to work hard to catch up again. The sight of the fleet making tight turns around the markers was a feast for the spectators.

Absolute concentration prevailed on board. On Paprec Arkéa, Mariana Lobato positioned herself at the bow to ensure maximum precision in the manoeuvres. At the third mark, the leader began to fly and took the lead ahead of Biotherm. A little further back, Allagrande Mapei Racing followed behind Team Malizia.

And in the end Biotherm wins

On the second lap, Biotherm closed the gap to Paprec Arkéa and eventually overtook on the inside of a marker. With calm confidence, they took the lead and never relinquished it. Behind them, the order continued to change: Holcim-PRB lost ground again after a difficult manoeuvre and now had to step on the gas even more to get back into the race.

At the front, the Biotherm crew savoured the moment. As they crossed the finish line, Paul Meilhat, Amélie Grassi, Benjamin Ferré and Carlos Manera celebrated with pure joy - with clenched fists and hugs. After four wins in five stages and four first places since Kiel, Paul Meilhat's team was once again in front and crowned a dominant season (55 points) with a final prestigious victory. "We are so happy. We've been living together for two months with this goal in mind," smiled Paul Meilhat. "This win is a bonus and pure joy."

Paprec Arkéa secures second place

Paprec Arkéa crossed the finish line shortly afterwards. With this second place in Boka Bay and second place in the overall standings since the first leg, Yoann Richomme and his crew were rewarded for their consistency (40 points). "That was a really great race," said Yoann Richomme. "It feels so good to show the potential of the boats here. We had a great start on the foils, which I didn't expect." "It was neck-and-neck with Holcim-PRB from the start, so we had to focus right away," added Corentin Horeau. "We stuck to our game plan and tried to sail as clean a race as possible. It was a fantastic course."

Richomme even joked about Biotherm's dominance: "It's almost rude of them, but they are so strong that we can't blame them! Finishing second behind these guys is not bad at all."

Holcim in third place

The neck-and-neck race with Holcim-PRB was ultimately not very exciting. Rosalin Kuiper could not hide her disappointment at that moment, but will look back on a strong season overall. Her crew completed the podium of the coastal regatta and finished third overall (38.5 points) - an impressive achievement given the collision in Kiel right at the start of the race. "It wasn't the position we had hoped for, but we worked so hard," said Kuiper. "When I look back on everything we've been through, I'm incredibly proud of my team. I'm happy with how far we've come, what we've learnt and what we've achieved."

Team Malizia, Canada Ocean Racing and Allagrande Mapei

Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia secured fourth place overall (37 points), while one of the standout performances of the day came from Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive: Scott Shawyer and his team took fifth place in Boka Bay, a great result that pushed Allagrande Mapei Racing (6th in the race) to fifth place overall, while Team Amaala finished the race in seventh place.

And so this incredible European adventure under the bright Boka Bay sun came to an end with smiles on the faces of all the sailors. But it's not too early to look ahead. The next race on The Ocean Race calendar will take place in 2026: The Ocean Race Atlantic - a transatlantic race with a twist, as it finishes in the Mediterranean. The event combines two iconic cities - New York and Barcelona - and promises to be an incredible addition to the calendar of fully crewed offshore races.

The results of the Boka Bay Coastal Race:

1. Biotherm
2. Paprec Arkéa
3. Team Holcim PRB
4. Team Malizia
5. Be Water Positive
6. Allagrande Mapei Racing
7. Team Amaala

The overall standings of the Ocean Race Europe:

1. Biotherm - 55 points
2. Paprec Arkéa - 40 points
3. Team Holcim PRB - 38.5 points
4. Team Malizia - 27 points
5. Allagrande Mapei Racing - 26 points
6. Be Water Positive - 18 points
7. Team Amaala - 9 points

Award ceremony ... and pool party!

Richard Brisius, CEO of The Ocean Race, then opened the award ceremony in the evening in a magnificent location in the harbour of Tivat. All crews, the entire Ocean Race team and of course the Kiel-Marketing team were present. Uwe Wanger, Managing Director of Kiel-Marketing, presented the trophy to the fifth team, Allagrande Mapei.

No sailing race without a pool: the sea, the pool ... the water unites us all!