Picture from: https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/news/12596_The-Ocean-Race-reboots-with-announcement-of-10-year-plan
Since its first edition in 1973, then known as the Whitbread Round the World Race, The Ocean Race has become one of the most prestigious and challenging team sailing races in the world. With routes that traverse the oceans’ most challenging environments, it puts crews’ skills, courage and endurance to the test. The race attracts not only world-class sailors, but also a global audience that is spellbound to watch the competition, which, after all, lasts over six months. This year, five teams took part, with the goal of holding the Ocean Race Trophy in their hands at the end.
But what exactly is “The Ocean Race,” what happens during it, and who won the 2023 sailing regatta? We at Merk & Merk, as one of the leading yacht boutiques where you can buy sophisticated yachts, explain “The Ocean Race” in this article.
What is “The Ocean Race” sailing regatta?
“The Ocean Race” is one of the most demanding and prestigious sailing races in the world. The stage race takes professional sailing teams around the globe and is considered the toughest professional sailing race. The duration of “The Ocean Race” is half a year. Beginning in 1973, the 14th edition was due in 2023. After seven sections of different lengths on the “Ocean Race Route”, the race ended in Genoa.
In what class will be sailed?
In the early years of “The Ocean Race”, different types of boats were allowed, which increased the excitement, but also resulted in many unpredictable events. So the focus shifted to fairness and safety, which is why today there is a one-size-fits-all class. The IMOCA, which was used in the latest edition of the race, featured a unified design and a maximum hull length of 60 feet (18.28 meters). The crew consists of four people each and a reporter. Important: At least one crew member must be a woman.
How many teams sailed in the “Ocean Race 2023”?
Five teams sailed in “The Ocean Race 2023”:
- 11th hour racing
- Team Malizia
- GUYOT environnement – Team Europe
- Biotherm
- Team Holcim – PRB
The German Boris Herrmann started as skipper with the Malizia – Seaexplorer.
In half a century of the renowned “The Ocean Race” a German boat could celebrate the overall victory once so far. In 2002, the “Illbruck” sailed triumphantly to the finish line under the leadership of American skipper John Kostecki. When the boat arrived in Kiel, it was welcomed by hundreds of thousands of cheering fans.
The 2022-2023 Ocean Race featured the most ambitious sustainability program in the Race’s 50-year history.
The history of The Ocean Race
“The Ocean Race” was first organized in 1973 by the British Royal Naval Sailing Association in cooperation with Whitbread Brewery under the name “Whitbread Round the World Race” and already attracted 17 yachts from four continents at the start. The crews in the first sailing race were mostly amateur sailors and the race had little to do with the professional event it is today. Over the years, “The Ocean Race” attracted more and more professional sailors and sponsors, such as from the yacht management sector, which led to a focus on technique, speed and tactics.
After nearly three decades of being known as the Whitbread Round the World Race, the race was renamed the Volvo Ocean Race in 2001 with Volvo as the main sponsor. The name was meant to represent the connection between a global automaker and the world of offshore sailing. In 2019, the name was changed again to “The Ocean Race,” reflecting the ongoing evolutionary nature of the race and making it less dependent on a single sponsor.
What is the “Ocean Race” route?
The route of the “Ocean Race” stretches over thousands of nautical miles and passes through some of the most challenging waters in the world. Among the highlights of “The Ocean Race” is the leg through the Southern Ocean, known for its high waves, strong winds and freezing temperatures. Sailing around Cape Horn, at the southern tip of South America, is another milestone for any long-distance sailor. While the route varies from race to race, as does the length of the legs, the challenge of “The Ocean Race” always remains the same: competitors must face constantly changing weather conditions, ocean currents, unpredictable events, and the mental demands of a long-distance race. The route is physically as well as mentally demanding.
This was “The Ocean Race Route 2023”:
- 1st leg: Alicante – Cape Verde Islands
1,900 nautical miles - 2nd leg: Cape Verde – Cape Town/South Africa
4,600 nautical miles - 3rd leg: Cape Town – Itajai/Brazil
12,750 nautical miles - 4th leg: Itajai/Brazil – Newport/USA
5,550 nautical miles - 5th leg: Newport/USA – Aarhus/Denmark
3,500 nautical miles - 6th leg: Aarhus/Denmark – Fly-By Kiel – The Hague/Netherlands
800 nautical miles - 7th leg: The Hague/Netherlands – Genoa/Italy
2,200 nautical miles
The total distance was 32,000 nautical miles (about 60,000 kilometers).
How is the “Ocean Race” scored?
In “The Ocean Race”, victory is determined based on a points system. At each stage, teams receive points that are added to the overall result at the end. The first winner of a decided section gets the maximum score, the second gets the next highest score and so on. Those who do not finish it do not get any points.
Depending on the rules in each edition of “The Ocean Race,” bonus points may be awarded for certain achievements, such as being the first team to pass Cape Horn or for achieving the greatest distance in a 24-hour period.
Additionally, there are in-port races in host cities. These races are shorter and take place near the coast. Although they are not weighted as heavily in the overall points total, they can be decisive in the event of a points tie.
In the event of a tie in points at the end of the race, the team with the better finish in the final section will be declared the winner.
Teams may lose points or receive other penalties if they violate race rules.
At the end of “The Ocean Race”, each team’s total points from all legs and in-port races will be added together. The team with the highest score will be declared the winner of The Ocean Race. The exact rules and scoring system may be changed by the committee per edition.
How can you follow “The Ocean Race”?
The Ocean Race” is one of the most famous and popular sailing races in the world and is “broadcast” on different channels. The official website of the “Ocean Race” offers a live tracker that allows fans to follow the exact location and progress of each participating boat in real time. There are also daily summaries, interviews with the sailors and detailed analysis of the race strategies.
Official website and live tracker: https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/racing/tracker
Apps allow you to keep up with key race events via live updates, news and videos. It’s best to set a direct notification!
There are also regular updates and videos from “The Ocean Race” on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. To do so, simply follow the appropriate channels.
Some TV channels, especially in countries with participating teams, broadcast important stages of “The Ocean Race” as well as starts and finishes. Furthermore, there are often opportunities to follow the race via livestreams on the Internet.
At each stage arrival, a so-called “Race Village” is set up. This is a special area where fans can meet the teams in person, get a close-up look at the yachts, and participate in various activities and presentations.
Who won “The Ocean Race 2023”?
The US team “11th hour racing” has won “The Ocean Race 2023”. This is the first time in its 50-year history that an American team has made it to the top of the podium. German Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia take third place behind Holcim – PRB.