Since 1973, The Ocean Race has provided the ultimate test of a team and is a human adventure like no other. Over four decades it has kept an almost mythical hold over some of the greatest sailors and been the proving ground that has made and broken the legends of our sport.
The Ocean Race is often described as the longest and toughest professional sporting event in the world, sailing’s toughest team challenge and one of the sport’s Big Three events, alongside the Olympic Games and America’s Cup.
For some of the world’s best sailors, the Ocean Race is an obsession, and they dedicate years, even decades of their lives trying to win it, because doing so ensures they will carve out a permanent legacy in the sport.
The race’s concept is simple: it’s an round-the-clock ocean marathon. Over 8 months, 45 000 nautical miles and 24 hours a day, the sport’s best sailors go up against each other crossing the world’s toughest waters, including the Southern Ocean. It is relentless and brutal: the importance of winning, the adventure of life on board, the transformative effect on the sailors – all of these combine to give the race a deep power and allure.
The race sits at the intersection of human adventure and world-class competition. Thanks to the work of the Onboard Reporters embedded in every team, fans are given a unique insight into just what it takes to win the race which takes place mostly away from the view of the public.
The last edition of the race was the closest in history, with three teams virtually tied, approaching the finish line. After 126 days of racing spread across 11 legs, the winning margin for Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng Race Team was only 16 minutes and the top three teams were separated by just four points.
A total of 2.5 million people visited the Race Villages during the 2017-18 event, getting a first-hand taste of the action. Millions more followed the race action on digital platforms, television and via the news as the race set new benchmarks for international coverage, including live transmission from the boats even from places such as the Southern Ocean.
Two classes of boat will compete in the next edition of the race. New to the race are the high-tech, foiling IMOCA 60 boats. Whilst the traditional one-design VO65 fleet will continue their legacy by taking part in their third lap of the planet.
Following the success of our ground-breaking and award-winning sustainability efforts in the last race, sustainability will continue to be a core value of the race as we go forward, as we redouble our efforts to restore ocean health and lead, inspire and engage on this critical issue at every available opportunity we can in both the lead up to the race and over the event itself too.