The 14th The Ocean Race didn't feel that long ago. In 2023, two fleets - Imocas and VOR65 yachts - started the last edition. 11th Hour Racing with skipper Charlie Enright won the Imoca race, Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia sailed to third place. In the upcoming edition, only Imocas are still in play. Their route is now complete.
The "Transat" for the Ocean Race
After five Ocean Race stops in Florida (3 in Fort Laudersale, 2 in Miami), next year will be the first time in the 54-year history of the Race history a harbour on Florida's Gulf Coast is included in the course: The fourth of five long and challenging legs marks the new "Transat" in the Ocean Race, leading from St. Pete-Clearwater over 4500 Atlantic nautical miles to Portugal's sailing city of Cascais.
"Starting the leg on the shores of St. Pete-Clearwater and arriving in the historic sailing waters of Cascais provides an opportunity to connect two coastal cities with a tremendous passion for the ocean," said Ocean Race co-owner Richard Brisius. The circumnavigators will be hosted by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club right on the city centre waterfront from 4-16 May 2027.
Malizia sailor Cole Brauer, who was born on Long Island in the state of New York, was applauded for her efforts. Also Charlie Enright, Ocean Race winner 2023 and CEO of US Sailing, is enthusiastic: "As an American sailor who has had the honour of winning this race, I can tell you that it is a fantastic initiative to bring Grand Prix racing with foiling Imocas to the USA". The American-Portuguese "transat" built into the Ocean Race fascinates Enright.
That's a stage I would take part in immediately. I might have to dig out my sea boots again." Charlie Enright
The St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida was founded in 1909. Regattas such as the Petersburg-Habana Yacht Race to Havana were held here as early as 1930. For hosting The Ocean Race, the yacht club also has the support of the University of South Florida (USF), which is home to one of the leading marine science programmes and ocean health research projects in the United States.
The Ocean Race connects picture-perfect sailing areas on both sides of the Atlantic
The Imoca fleet will be moored on the USF waterfront during the stopover. St. Pete-Clearwater is not only known for some of the most beautiful beaches in the USA, but also for a very lively art scene with the internationally renowned Dalí Museum as a magnet.
Just as intensely as in Florida, the heart of Portugal's sailing scene beats for the team race along the three large capes. Lisbon was part of the regatta as a harbour for three consecutive editions - 2011/2012, 2014/2015 and 2017/2018. Cascais hosted the Ocean Race Europe in 2021.
Also known for its beautiful beaches, Cascais, with its 210,000 inhabitants, is located in a sandy bay and generally has no shortage of wind - one reason why major events such as the World Championships for Olympic disciplines or the TP 52 World Championship 2025 and regular winter series of popular classes have been held here in the past.
Five stages characterise the crew race around the world
"I can't imagine a more emotional moment for a Portuguese sailor than sailing to Cascais at the end of a transatlantic leg," says Mariana Lobato, the Portuguese sailor who has already competed in both the 2023 circumnavigation and The Ocean Race Europe. "I grew up in this area and the Marina de Cascais is a place where the love of sailing is deeply rooted.
The Ocean Race will stop in Cascais in late spring 2027, where the teams are expected to arrive on 26 May. On 6 June, they will then set off from Portugal on the final leg to the Saudi Arabian resort of Amaala on the Red Sea, which Alan Roura and his Amaala team had already campaigned for in the Ocean Race Europe 2025. Peace will be needed in the region for this finale.
With the starting signal for the 15th The Ocean Race on 17 January 2027, the teams will be sent from Alicante in Spain on the longest opening leg in the history of the race: 14,000 nautical miles to Auckland await their challengers. From New Zealand's "City of Sails", the route continues to Itajaí in Brazil before heading north to the United States and the new transatlantic leg from St. Pete-Clearwater to Cascais. The race ends with a sprint in the Red Sea.
The view of the new "Transat" in The Ocean Race:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
