Ocean Race Atlantic: A wild ride – catapulted from the low-pressure system into Brittany?

The New York skyline featured at least 50 shades of grey this Tuesday. In misty and wet weather, the six IMOCA teams bid farewell to Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty and set course for the starting line of the Ocean Race Atlantic. The starting signal for the new team transatlantic race from New York to Lorient will not be given until Wednesday at 12 noon German time, far out off the New York coast.

Slowly at first, then at breakneck speed: a fast Atlantic Ocean Race lies ahead

It is only there that the crews will begin the race, which the majority expect to be a very fast chase across the North Atlantic. Before setting sail, Boris Herrmann commented on the deliberately slow start to the distant virtual starting line: “We’re slowing down because this is an area with lots of whales. We don’t want to collide with whales.” There was much talk ahead of the out-sailing parade that it was set to be a fast race once the starting signal was given. Several skippers were expecting a gruelling six-day race.

Paul Meilhat, the French skipper of “United by the Ocean”, commented on the expected conditions for the Transat Sprint in the Ocean Race Atlantic, which also serves as a dress rehearsal for The Ocean Race round the world starting on 17 January 2027: “After the start, we expect close-hauled conditions on the first day, but not much wind. After that, it’s all about catching the low-pressure system and staying ahead of it. Under normal circumstances, that’s a good forecast if we can sail with the low-pressure system all the way to the finish line off Lorient.”

"It really needs to be done quickly. Perhaps in less than seven days." Paul Meilhat

Swiss “Embrace the Challenge” skipper Oliver Heer also said: “The first few hours are likely to be quite changeable and stormy. Then the race will get underway.” Everyone has seen the huge low-pressure system which, according to the unanimous opinion of the routing experts, will dominate the North Atlantic during the Ocean Race Atlantic leg. Paul Meilhat explained: “We’ll experience spectacular conditions and probably high speeds. Likely to exceed 30 knots.”

Boris Herrmann reckons there will be seven and a half days of racing in the Ocean Race Atlantic

Before setting sail from the Big Apple, Boris Herrmann estimated the race would last around seven and a half days, but he also said: “The last 25 per cent of the race is always the big unknown. It’s impossible to predict at this stage. Anything could happen.” But first, the race has to begin. Oliver Heer’s parting words: “We’ve had a great time here in the US and in New York, but now it’s time to set sail. Given the rather challenging weather forecast, we can’t wait to finally get going!”

“The boat will be so dynamic that it will even be difficult for us to bring a spoon to our mouths.” Conrad Colman

The favourites On paper, the contenders for the inaugural Ocean Race Atlantic are Boris Herrmann’s new “Malizia 4” and Kojiro Shiraishi’s new “DMG Mori Global One”. Both are only around two months old and are putting their mettle to the test in a race for the first time.

Following the start of the Ocean Race Atlantic on Wednesday at midday German time, there will be a daily live show featuring images and audio from the sea. The overview and all the links are at the end of this YACHT article can be found. The programmes are scheduled to run until 8 September.

Weather with Will: the “11th Hour Racing” navigator is expecting a thrilling finale

The following clip featuring Will Harris provides a more detailed insight into the weather forecasts. The “11th Hour Racing” navigator said: “Everything points to a fast, high-speed race. It looks as though the low-pressure system will catapult us into Brittany.”

Will Harris also noted: “It’s going to be very interesting: we’ve got some very fast foiling boats in the race, including two brand-new ones. They’ll be sailing at full speed. Our game plan is to be faster than them. Or at least to keep up with them, so that we can then challenge them towards the end.” Harris also did not rule out a nail-biting light-wind final for what is expected to be a fiercely contested race. Here are his predictions in detail: