The Ocean Race Europe - Meet the Teams

The Ocean Race Europe 2025 is Europe’s sharpest offshore battleground — a high-speed, multi-stage showcase of IMOCA 60s driven by data, technology, and raw endurance. Across iconic coastal stopovers, seven elite teams clash on foils, navigating tight tactical calls and harsh conditions. But it’s not only a race for line honors: each boat also pushes forward messages of sustainability, circular economy, and environmental advocacy, making this a regatta where ocean health is as critical as boat speed.

Overall Race Snapshot

• Route: Kiel → Portsmouth → Cartagena → Nice → Genova → Boka Bay (Montenegro), starts 10 August 2025.

• Fleet: 7 IMOCA teams confirmed, final slots filled.

• Main Themes: Diversity in leadership, heavy focus on science and data, circular economy integration, and a test bed for future Vendée Globe and global foiling programs.

Team Profiles

Allagrande Mapei Racing — “Italy’s fresh IMOCA surge”

Lowdown: Italian campaign skippered by Alberto Bona, making a major step up after impressive Class40 and Transat results.

The Team: Bona leads a young, performance-focused Italian crew, emphasizing speed development and offshore resilience.

The Owners: Sponsored by Mapei, a global leader in chemical products for building, embracing sports partnerships.

The Partners: Mapei (title sponsor), Italian sailing federations, local tech suppliers.

Key Facts:

• “Bluewater engineers”: Emphasizes advanced boat-building techniques.

• “Azzurri on foils”: Bringing national pride and new IMOCA blood.

• “Rising contender”: Ambitious first big offshore crew campaign.

Canada Ocean Racing — Be Water Positive — “Canada’s sustainability underdog”

Lowdown: Canada’s first fully crewed IMOCA team, led by Scott Shawyer, featuring offshore stalwart Pip Hare.

The Team: Shawyer, Hare, Chris Pratt, Sébastien Marsset, Brian Thompson, plus reporter Georgia Schofield.

The Owners: Founded to build Canada’s offshore racing ecosystem and prep for future Vendée campaigns.

The Partners: Helly Hansen, International Desalination Association, Volvo Cars.

Key Facts:

• “Learning curve on foils”: Rapid transition from solo to crew dynamics.

• “Water-positive push”: Strong ocean water sustainability mission.

• “Grit with global message”: Brave newcomer with real depth.

Holcim-PRB — “Circular economy meets high-seas discipline”

Lowdown: Swiss-French IMOCA skippered by Rosalin Kuiper, the fleet’s only female skipper.

The Team: Deep bench of Olympic and offshore pros.

The Owners: Holcim, global leader in sustainable building materials.

The Partners: Holcim, innovation-driven ocean and crew health initiatives.

Key Facts:

• “Female force at the bow”: Leading a mixed, performance-driven team.

• “Science aboard”: Real-time ocean data collection focus.

• “Europe-wide green ambition”: Circularity messaging central to race presence.

Team Malizia — “Record-holder rewriting offshore limits”

Lowdown: German-Monegasque team skippered by Boris Herrmann, record 24-hour distance holder.

The Team: Herrmann, Will Harris, Cole Brauer, Francesca Clapcich, Justine Mettraux, Loïs Berrehar.

The Owners: Founded by Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi, pushing ocean science.

The Partners: Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG, Zurich, Hapag-Lloyd, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC, Schütz, KPMG.

Key Facts:

• “Hybrid-powered pioneer”: Integrates advanced clean-energy systems.

• “United by data”: Global ocean science collaboration.

• “Heavyweight favorites”: True front-runners on every leg.

Biotherm — “French agility in full foil flight”

Lowdown: French IMOCA skippered by Paul Meilhat, known for fast adaptation and strong tactical calls.

The Team: Agile crew structure, excellent in light air and transitional conditions.

The Owners: Backed by Biotherm (skincare brand focused on ocean conservation).

The Partners: Biotherm, ocean health research initiatives.

Key Facts:

• “Clean seas, fast foils”: Twin mission of performance and ocean advocacy.

• “Veteran underdog”: Strong Vendée legacy reimagined for crewed dynamics.

• “Agility edge”: Particularly strong in variable European coastal breezes.

Team Paprec Arkéa — “Eco-racing French powerhouse”

Lowdown: French team helmed by Yoann Richomme, transitioning solo success to crew campaigns.

The Team: Deep French offshore talent pool.

The Owners: Jointly supported by Paprec (recycling) and Arkéa (green finance).

The Partners: Paprec, Arkéa Bank.

Key Facts:

• “From solo genius to team tactician”: Richomme’s strategic leap.

• “Recycling revolution”: Boat and message both shaped by circular ideals.

• “Formidable French threat”: Consistently competitive on every leg.

Team AMAALA — “Luxury-backed, Swiss-Arabian challenger”

Lowdown: New multinational team flagged Swiss/Arabian, symbolizing an ambitious entry into IMOCA.

The Team: Mixed European and Middle Eastern crew, with strong high-performance sailors.

The Owners: Backed by AMAALA (Saudi giga-project) focused on regenerative tourism.

The Partners: AMAALA, national sailing federations, private sustainability ventures.

Key Facts:

• “New wave, new market”: Opening IMOCA to Middle East engagement.

• “Sustainable luxury at sea”: Linking tourism branding with ocean protection.

• “Wildcard energy”: Fresh team ready to disrupt.