The first Ocean Race Atlantic brought six IMOCA crews from New York to Lorient, with United by the Ocean taking victory and less than half an hour separating the leading four boats. The organisers’ retrospective, released on 16 September, looks back at a demanding crossing and ahead to the round-the-world race starting in Alicante on 17 January 2027.

The event was The Ocean Race’s first point-to-point transatlantic in its 53-year history and, according to the organisers, the first IMOCA race with an entirely mixed-gender fleet. Daily OnBoard Live connections, round-the-clock deck-camera coverage and a new Super Sprint competition offered different ways to follow the boats.

Watch: How The Ocean Race Atlantic Was Won

The official recap from The Ocean Race follows the contest across the Atlantic. Watch the video on YouTube.

From New York to a punishing Atlantic crossing

The fleet left Brooklyn Bridge Marina on 2 September, passing the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazzano Bridge. Racing began at a virtual line some 150 nautical miles offshore, a location chosen to avoid known habitats of marine mammals and other large ocean wildlife.

11th Hour Racing passes the Statue of Liberty in New York.
11th Hour Racing passes the Statue of Liberty in New York. © Vincent Curutchet / The Ocean Race.

A powerful weather system then drove the fleet east in rough conditions. DMG MORI Global One suffered an electronic blackout, MSIG Europe reported a furling-system problem, and Team Malizia dealt with a ballast leak followed by an impact to its port foil. Embrace the Challenge sustained a mainsail tear.

The crews described more than 48 hours of exhausting sailing, little sleep and careful speed management to limit violent impacts in the waves. As the weather eased, the challenge changed again: light winds slowed the leaders and compressed the fleet.

Conditions aboard MSIG Europe during the Atlantic crossing.
Conditions aboard MSIG Europe during the Atlantic crossing. © Georgia Schofield / MSIG Europe / The Ocean Race.

Four contenders in the closing miles

United by the Ocean, Team Francesca Clapcich powered by 11th Hour Racing, DMG MORI Global One and Team Malizia remained in contention late in the race. Paul Meilhat’s crew secured victory ahead of Clapcich, with DMG MORI third and Malizia fourth.

The top four finished within 27 minutes and 29 seconds. Our report on United by the Ocean’s victory has the gaps, while the final standings and MSIG Europe report explains how the last boat was finished in place on a shortened course. The final 500-mile bulletin charts the approach to the finish.

New awards and lessons for 2027

Team Francesca Clapcich won the Racing for the Ocean Teams Challenge. Team Malizia took the overall Super Sprint honours, winning the daily contest for speed over a 20-minute period four times. The two new IMOCAs, Malizia and DMG MORI, finished fourth and third respectively in their racing debuts.

Crews gather at the awards ceremony with Alicante next on the horizon.
Crews gather at the awards ceremony with Alicante next on the horizon. © Vincent Curutchet / The Ocean Race.

Lorient’s Ocean Live Park

Ocean Live Park welcomed visitors at La Base from 9 to 13 September. With Impact Partner 11th Hour Racing, its programme focused on ocean health and education, alongside screenings, boat visits and concerts. More than 2,000 children joined educational activities and STEM programmes, including sailing experiences and beach clean-ups organised with Surfrider.

Nearly 60 local businesses and more than 20 associations and NGOs contributed. Delegations from future host cities also attended, including Alicante deputy mayor Antonio Péral, as attention turned towards the January 2027 start in Spain.

Visitors at Ocean Live Park, Lorient La Base.
Visitors at Ocean Live Park, Lorient La Base. © Jean-Louis Carli / The Ocean Race.

For more information, visit The Ocean Race’s official website.