© Antoine Auriol / Team Malizia
On the seas - for the seas
The Ocean Race Europe
The first The Ocean Race (formerly the Volvo Ocean Race, before that The Whitbread Round the World Race) started in 1973. Since then, the toughest regatta in sailing has travelled around the globe 14 times: from Europe across the Atlantic, around the Cape of Good Hope in the Southern Ocean to Cape Horn, from there to South and North America and back to Europe. the first The Ocean Race Europe took place in 2021. The next European edition will start in Kiel on 10 August 2025!
Racing with purpose
“Nature is an essential part of the Ocean Race, it is the centrepiece – the oceans are the race course and the wind is the engine of the boats - but it is deteriorating fast. We see the devastating effects of pollution, climate change and industrial overfishing on the oceans. At the same time, we increasingly understand how important our oceans are, not just for sport, but also for regulating our climate and providing us with food, jobs and the air we breathe.
We are in a decade of action in which the way we treat our planet must fundamentally change if we are to achieve the crucial goals by 2030. The Ocean Race is an authentic platform to educate, inspire and accelerate action for our blue planet at this critical time.
This is what we call "Racing with purpose" – or as it says on Boris Herrmann's sail: A race we must win.”
Connecting Europe
The route
Kiel
(Germany) 06–10 August 2025 In February 2024, Kiel.Sailing.City was confirmed as the starting port for The Ocean Race Europe. Previously, Kiel was already the finish port of the Volvo Ocean Race 2000/01 and in June 2023 hosted the extremely successful Fly-By on the penultimate leg of The Ocean Race 2022/23 with over 120,000 visitors on the Kiel Fjord.
Portsmouth
(Great Britain) 14–16 August 2025 The Ocean Race Europe will be stopping off in Portsmouth on the south coast of England, among other places. The event is all about The Ocean Race, the legendary offshore round-the-world race with a full crew, which first took place in 1973 with Portsmouth as the start and finish harbour.
Matosinhos/Porto
(Portugal) 20 August 2025 The Ocean Race Europe will complete a short fly-by in Matosinhos/Porto on the way from Portsmouth to Cartagena. Unlike the fly-by in Kiel in June 2023, the teams will even dock in the harbour city for a short time.
Cartagena
(Spain) 22–26 August 2025 The city of Cartagena will be the first port in the Mediterranean for The Ocean Race Europe 2025, which will then continue to Boka Bay in Montenegro. As in the other stops, Cartagena will host activities centred on marine conservation, demonstrating the city's commitment to climate protection and sustainability.
Nice
(France) 29–31 August 2025 From 29 to 31 August, there will be a short stopover in Nice on the Côte d'Azur before the fleet continues on to Genoa. This is the first time that the city has been part of The Ocean Race Europe route.
Genova
(Italy) 03–07 September 2025 Following the success of the 'Grand Final' of The Ocean Race 2023, Genoa will now be an important stage for The Ocean Race Europe. The close ties between the Italian harbour city and The Ocean Race will be further strengthened when the sailing teams and many thousands of visitors come together in the Ocean Live Park.
Boka Bay
(Montenegro) 15–21 September 2025 Ocean Race Europe 2025 will finish in the Bay of Boka in Montenegro, where the IMOCA fleet will sail into the Adriatic Sea for the first time to connect European waters in a celebration of sport, sustainability and collaboration.
“I can’t wait for the start in Kiel this summer!”
Rosalin Kuiper, Skipper Holcim-PRB
Top international sailors – at the start in Kiel
TEAMS
Team Malizia (GER)
Skipper: Boris Herrmann
Team Holcim-PRB (SUI)
Skipper: Rosalin Kuiper
Team Paprec Arkéa (FRA)
Skipper: Yoann Richomme
VULNERABLE - TR Racing (FRA)
Skipper: Thomas Ruyant
Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive Sailing Team (CAN)
Skipper: Scott Shawyer
Allagrande Mapei Racing (ITA)
Skipper: Ambrogio Beccaria
Team Biotherm (FRA)
Skipper: Paul Meilhat
Team (GER)
Skipper: tbd
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