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Ocean racing is more than just a transatlantic or round-the-world race. The Ocean Race Europe 2025 proves that the touring grand prix format is capable of combining nautical performance, Mediterranean issues and raising awareness of ocean health. Departing from Kiel, Germany, on august 10, 2025 and arrived at Boka Bay in Montenegro on september 21, 2025 between the two, 5 steps multi-basin navigation and a fleet of 7 IMOCA foil boats with mixed crews.
IMOCA in the Mediterranean: performance and tailor-made settings
Sailing an IMOCA in closed seas means making adjustments. These 60-foot boats, designed for trade winds and open seas, have to deal with a more unstable water surface, faster weather transitions and frequent stopovers. The exercise calls for responsive sail configurations, heightened vigilance over daggerboard and foil equipment, and fine-tuned management of short-range routing.
Ports of call: between port hospitality and sports logistics
Portsmouth, Matosinhos, Cartagena, Nice and Genoa: these ports of call offer IMOCA boats the opportunity to test port logistics. Welcoming these monohulls requires adapted infrastructures, particularly for rigging, dry docking and rapid technical interventions. The public and schools are also catered for, with a view to raising awareness of environmental issues.
Crew composition: diversity and skills on board
Each crew comprises four sailors, including at least one woman, and at least two nationalities. This rule favors gender and cultural diversity, but also imposes shared know-how and solid communication protocols. The profiles are often complementary: veterans of single-handed ocean racing, young offshore talents and on-board media managers.
Live transmission: an on-board immersion
The fleet is equipped with the latest satellite communications technology. The aim is to offer live or recorded links to the various platforms. Drone images, fixed cameras and sound recordings enable complete immersion in life on board. A permanent technical constraint for the crews, who must maintain this equipment without delay.
Ocean data collection: onboard sensors and climate challenges
Each IMOCA is fitted with sensors to collect ocean data in real time: water temperature, salinity, presence of microplastics. These measurements contribute to scientific databases shared with the "Racing for the Ocean" program. The integration of science into racing requires rigorous data collection and a specific maintenance routine for the instruments.
This European-scale race does not claim to revolutionize ocean sailing, but it does sketch out an evolution: one in which performance, environmental commitment and open-minded crews meet at the rhythm of continental legs.
