Made up of crews from 13 different countries, The Ocean Race Europe is a multi-stage offshore sailing race for professional teams racing in high-performance ocean-going IMOCA class yachts.
The 2025 event is being run under the banner of “Connecting Europe”, this second edition building on the foundations of the inaugural race held back in 2021.
The race takes place over a 4,500-nautical mile course, moving from the North Sea, through the English Channel, into the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, and the Baltic Sea, before finishing in Boka Bay in Montenegro – the first time in its over 50-year history that crews from The Ocean Race will compete on the Adriatic Sea.
There are seven teams competing in the Ocean Race Europe 2025. Each team comprises four sailors, one of which must be female, and the crew must represent at least two different nationalities. Each boat will also include an onboard reporter. The teams are:
- Team Malizia (Germany) – Boris Herrmann (Skipper)
- Team Holcim – PRB (Switzerland) – Rosalin Kuiper (Skipper)
- Team Paprec Arkéa (France) – Yoann Richomme (Skipper)
- Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive (Canada) – Scott Shawyer (Skipper)
- Allagrande Mapei Racing (Italy) – Ambrogio Beccaria (Skipper)
- Biotherm (France) – Paul Meilhat (Skipper)
- Team AMAALA (Switzerland / Saudi Arabia) – Alan Roura (Skipper)
All seven teams will compete in foiling IMOCA design yachts, which to the uninitiated are craft that use retractable foils to help lift the yacht’s hull partially out of the water to reduce drag and increase speed. The teams are all highly trained professional seafarers, with no less than 11 skippers from the 2024/’25 Vendée Globe and six past winners of The Ocean Race around the world included in the mix.
The Ocean Race Europe 2025 starts in Kiel, Germany, on Sunday, 10 August, and will arrive in Nice on 29th August for a three-day layover. Outside of the sailing, there is an action-packed programme of events lined up, including an Ocean Live Park, live music shows, DJ sessions, science shows, and more for all to enjoy. For the sailing enthusiasts, there are chances to get up close and personal with the yachts and the crews with the Pit Lane and VIP Pit Lane experiences. Tickets may be reserved online.
The Ocean Race Europe’s arrival in Nice intends to build on the momentum from the recent United Nations Ocean Conference held in June to protect and restore ocean health with its award-winning Racing with Purpose programme, built around ocean literacy and learning, ocean science, and advocacy.
“As the City of Nice has … launched its Year of the Sea … I am very pleased to welcome, for the first time, The Ocean Race Europe – a sailing race that highlights team spirit, connects European cities, and collects valuable scientific data for researchers. This Nice stopover will offer the public a spectacular show and provide participants with the enchanting setting of our Baie des Anges. With The Ocean Race Europe, Nice reaffirms its ability to host major events and its commitment to promoting all initiatives aimed at sustainably preserving our ocean.”
— Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice
Fans of The Ocean Race Europe can now experience the thrill of the competition like never before, thanks to a cutting-edge online race tracker developed in partnership with PredictWind, the world leader in marine weather forecasting.
This powerful new tool delivers unprecedented access to the race in real time, with features including live GPS boat tracking, global weather overlays, predictive routing, and a full stream of race telemetry. It even integrates exclusive Onboard Reporter (OBR) photos, videos, and updates—putting you right in the heart of the action, no matter where you are.
The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will be in Nice from 29th to 31st August, 2025, based in the Port of Nice. See you there!
CONTACT DETAILS
UNOC Building Port Lympia
Quai Amiral Infernet
06300 Nice
All images and photographs courtesy and © The Ocean Race Europe 2025; lead image Yoann Richomme and Paprec Arkéa © Eloi Stichelbaut – polaRYSE / Paprec Arkea; all other images as credited
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