For Boris Herrmann’s “Malizia 4”, the Ocean Race Atlantic marks the first competitive test since the Launch on 6 July and the christening on 18 July. The same applies to Kojiro Shiraishi’s the new “DMG Mori Global One” The first race in which the Verdier design takes on the competition. The Koch-designed “Malizia 4” and her challenger are considered favourites for the Ocean Race Atlantic; they are the most recent designs in the fleet of six competing boats. The headline for the potential top-of-the-table clash between the German and Japanese IMOCA teams: Blade vs. Bustle.
The Ocean Race Atlantic will get underway on 1 September
Both for the “Malizia 4”, designed with Blade As this will be the first competition for the “DMG Mori Global One” – which was built by Bustle using technology from the America’s Cup – any predictions until then can only be theoretical, and the first comparative results are eagerly awaited. The fleet’s start on 1 September will be livestreamed by NDR and also by the organisers on YouTube broadcast. Sven Kaulbars will be presenting the programme for NDR alongside expert Tim Kröger. Live coverage from the Big Apple is set to begin at 6 pm German time.
For the challengers, the Ocean Race Atlantic takes them from the Hudson River out into the North Atlantic and across a total of 3,200 nautical miles across the Atlantic to La Base in Lorient, the cradle of French sailing. A daily “OnBoard Live” programme is planned during the race, featuring live footage and commentary from the sailors at sea. The half-hour programmes will be broadcast daily on YouTube at 5 pm German time.
Ready for the North Atlantic crossing lasting eight or nine days (or perhaps a little longer) are six skippers along with their crews: Boris Herrmann (“Malizia 4”), Germany), Kojiro Shiraishi (“DMG Mori Global One”, Japan), Francesca Clapcich (“11th Hour Racing”, formerly “Malizia 3”, USA), Paul Meilhat (“United by the Ocean”, formerly “Biotherm”, France), Oliver Heer (“Embrace the Challenge”, formerly “TeamWork – Team Snef”, Switzerland) and Conrad Colman (“MSIG Europe”, formerly “MS Amlin”, New Zealand).
Ocean Race Atlantic: will it be a record-breaking race?
The Ocean Race Atlantic is the first edition to feature the 50:50 crew rule, which stipulates that every crew in the fleet must consist of two women and two men. On board “Malizia 4” are the sailors: skipper Boris Herrmann, Julien Villion, Cole Brauer and Justine Mettraux, who was the strongest female solo sailor in the Vendée Globe, finishing eighth overall in the last edition.
Each of the six teams will also have a so-called “OBR” (On-Board Reporter) on board to give fans an insight into the sailors’ experiences, their work and their daily lives at sea. The daily “OnBoard Live Show” and live streams from aboard each boat are available via the official race tracker at www.theoceanrace.com to be seen.
The teams can expect a Transat that is challenging both strategically and physically. At this time of year, the North Atlantic can throw fierce weather systems at its challengers. On the flip side, however, these conditions could also present opportunities to break records. Boris Herrmann is not the only one who believes it is possible that the current 24-hour distance record of 641.08 nautical miles could be within reach.
"I firmly believe there’s a chance of breaking the 24-hour record.” Boris Herrmann
Francesca Clapcich takes a similar view. The skipper of the US-flagged “11th Hour Racing”, which was among the winners of the 2023 Ocean Race around the world, was looking forward to the start in New York City and the fast North Atlantic leg with great anticipation, saying: “I think we’ll see high speeds, and if we’re lucky with the weather at the end of the summer, it could be a record-breaking Atlantic crossing.”
Home matches for Cole Brauer and “Frankie” Clapcich in New York
For the skipper – who was born in Italy, lives in the US and has become a naturalised citizen – and who is aiming to compete in the Vendée Globe for the first time in 2028, the start of the Ocean Race Atlantic in the Big Apple is a home race. She said: “It’s something very special to be in New York for the start, as we have lots of supporters for our team here and it will be great to give them the chance to experience our sport up close.”
It’s a real home race for “Malizia 4” co-skipper Cole Brauer, who grew up on Long Island. She is known in the US as the first American woman to sail solo and non-stop round the world. She has just arrived in New York with “Malizia 4”, skippered by Will Harris, following the transfer. On the other side of the Atlantic, Lorient – the finish port of the Ocean Race Atlantic – awaits the teams. In a place that is home to most of the major offshore racing teams, it will be a home race not only for Paul Meilhat, but also for “Malizia 4” co-skipper and weather expert Julien Villion.
Both Frenchmen live in Lorient. Paul Meilhat, who won the Ocean Race Europe 2025 last year with Team Biotherm, has just prepared his IMOCA for the Ocean Race Atlantic. The co-skipper of the French team United by the Ocean said ahead of the race start: “This is a classic transatlantic route and a race that gives us the chance to bring our experiences at sea to life. The finish in Lorient, the ‘Sailing Valley’, which is home to so many of us, makes the finish even more special.”
Ocean Race Atlantic: Focusing on the health of the world’s oceans
The Ocean Race Atlantic combines top-level sailing with a wider aim: to champion the health of the oceans. As part of the first-ever ‘Racing for the Ocean Teams Challenge’, the teams will also compete against one another on the basis of sustainability criteria. The Ocean Race Atlantic is being organised with the support of its ‘Impact Partner’, 11th Hour Racing, with a shared focus on marine science and education, sustainable event practices, and equity and inclusion.
Countdown – the trailer for the 1st Ocean Race Atlantic:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter