Niall from Off Watch chats to Ken Read – Ocean Racer, America’s Cup commentator and President of North Sails. Ken gives Niall the inside track on The Ocean Race Europe, which, for the first time will combine VO65 and IMOCA fleets. The race starts on 29 May in Lorient, France. Ken also shares his optimistic take on how the sport of sailing is adapting to a new world.
The Ocean Race Europe
The Ocean Race Europe will see crew members from all over the world racing on foiling IMOCA 60s and one-design VO65s from the North Atlantic coast of Europe into the Mediterranean Sea. Each offshore leg will be scored equally. There will also be two coastal races in Cascais and Genoa, which will award bonus points to the top three finishers. There will be winners and prizes for each class.
The inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe leads a ten-year calendar of racing activity that includes confirmed editions of the iconic, fully-crewed, around the world event – The Ocean Race – beginning in 2022/23.
The Ocean Race Europe Teams
(this list will be updated as entries come in)
VO65 class
AmberSail (LIT)
Austrian Ocean Race Project (AUT)
Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team (POR)
Sailing Poland (POL)
Viva Mexico (MEX)
Team Childhood 1 (SWE / NED)
AkzoNobel Ocean Racing (NED)
IMOCA class
11th Hour Racing Team (USA)
CORUM L’Epargne (FRA)
LinkedOut (FRA)
Offshore Team Germany (GER)
Bureau Vallée (FRA)
Want to hear more?
Americas Cup post event analysis with Ken Read
