Dark blue paintwork, with the name “United by the Ocean” written on it in white XL letters. Paul Meilhat’s 2022 ex-“Biotherm” has rolled out of the hangar in Lorient at La Base, sporting its new look following its refit. It is set not only to carry Paul Meilhat and Marina Lobato’s team swiftly from New York to Lorient during the Ocean Race Atlantic, but also to compete in The Ocean Race 2027 with its crew.
Bringing people together on the world’s oceans with The Ocean Race
For some time now, Paul Meilhat has been one of those French skippers who, with a broad outlook, look far beyond the strong French solo offshore scene. The Frenchman took part in the last Vendée Globe sailed to fifth place after a hard-fought performance. After that he impressed last year together with his team as the winner of the Ocean Race Europe.
Since his contract with Biotherm expired and he has been without a major partner, Meilhat has been operating on a tight initial budget and is still working with his team to secure further funding for The Ocean Race. But now the Ocean Lover unveiled his new campaign, “United by the Ocean”, to the public together with his co-skipper, Mariana Lobato. The 44-year-old, who has often managed to make the most of tight budgets in recent years has, wants to give it another go.
Paul Meilhat remains undeterred in his quest to explore new horizons on fast boats. His campaign is not yet fully funded, but there is enough to make an exciting debut at the inaugural Ocean Race Atlantic, which gets underway on 1 September in New York. The race will see mixed crews of four sail some 3,200 nautical miles to Lorient.
What appeals to Paul Meilhat and his team about the Ocean Race
Under the team name United by the Ocean, Paul Meilhat and his co-skipper Mariana Lobato are launching a campaign “based on solidarity, openness and a shared interest in marine conservation”. With the unveiling of their IMOCA and their campaign, the Frenchman, the Portuguese woman and their as yet small team are aiming for a strong result on the water, but also want to make a significant contribution alongside the sporting aspect.
“Ever since the first sailors, the ocean has been a unifying force, linking people, places and cultures,” says Meilhat. He has always been drawn to the power of the world’s oceans as a bridge between worlds. “In many ways, the ocean is the original social network, facilitating trade, the exchange of cultures and ideas, and openness to the world,” says Meilhat.
In this regard, the world’s oceans play a role that is vital to humanity’s survival – and not just from Meilhat’s point of view. He says: “Today we know that the ocean is much more than that. It is our greatest climate regulator, absorbing the majority of the excess heat generated by human activities and sequestering a significant proportion of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.”
"A healthy ocean keeps us in balance and is something that can unite us all, as it represents our shared future." Paul Meilhat
The launch of the ‘United by the Ocean’ campaign marks an important milestone for the team, which, like other racing teams in Lorient, including Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia with the new “Malizia 4” rocket, which has just been launched prepared. Like the other teams, Paul Meilhat, Mariana Lobato and their team have already set their sights on The Ocean Race, the round-the-world yacht race, which begins on 17 January in Alicante, Spain.
Facing the new Ocean Race challenges with courage
“It’s fantastic to be working with Paul again,” said Mariana Lobato. “It’s a major milestone that we’re now ready to launch the campaign with confidence. We’re celebrating that today, but tomorrow we’ll be back at work to finalise all the preparations. The best way to get a project like this off the ground is simply to get started and tackle the challenges one by one.”
The Portuguese sailor is particularly delighted that the finish line for the transatlantic leg of the round-the-world race, The Ocean Race, will be in her home town of Cascais in 2027: “I have so many wonderful memories of taking part in The Ocean Race events in home waters – in both editions of The Ocean Race Europe. And I’m now looking forward to next summer in Cascais. It’s going to be fantastic!”
The new campaign will focus on raising awareness of marine issues and contributing to marine research. In doing so, Meilhat will build on its long-standing collaboration with the NGO Surfrider Foundation Europe continue. “We look forward to working with like-minded companies and organisations that share our values and recognise a healthy ocean as a vital force for good that affects each and every one of us around the world,” said Meilhat.
In August and September, the Imocas are out on the Atlantic
Paul Meilhat and Mariana Lobato plan to introduce their crew over the coming weeks. The first step in this regard has already been taken. “Benjamin Ferré will be supporting us in The Ocean Race Atlantic,” confirmed Lobato. The Breton, who finished third in the 2019 Mini Transat and was the fastest non-foiler in the last Vendée Globe, coming 16th, is the first new addition, with more to follow.
“We’re still putting the team together, but we’ll be an international crew. Our aim is to sail with a 50:50 mix of two women and two men – not only in The Ocean Race Atlantic (Ed.: in accordance with the race rules), but also during the round-the-world race in 2027,” said Paul Meilhat. Following this week’s launch, the United by the Ocean team will commission their boat and begin test runs before setting off on the Atlantic crossing to New York in August.
In the Big Apple, a small but very exciting fleet of Imocas will gather in mid-August to set off on 1 September for the New Ocean Race Atlantic to get started. The two of them are taking part the new Imoca rockets, “Malizia 4” and “DMG Mori Global One”. Also taking part are Francesca Clapcich and her team on the former “Malizia 3”, which is competing under its new name, “11th Hour Racing”. Oliver Heer is taking part with his team, Embrace the Challenge, and their IMOCA built in 2018, which previously enjoyed success as “Charal” under Jérémie Beyou and as “Teamwork – Team Snef” with Swiss skipper Justine Mettraux.
Ocean Race Atlantic: from New York to Lorient
Then there’s Kiwi veteran Conrad Colman, who is entering his ageing 2007 IMOCA, “MSIG Europe”, in the Ocean Race Atlantic. The VPLP-Verdier non-foiler, bearing sail number NZL 64, has nearly 20 years under its keel. That hasn’t stopped Conrad Colman from embarking on his adventures.
One ticket from the Big Apple to Lorient, please! Click here to watch the trailer for the new Ocean Race Atlantic. As it was filmed three months ago, Team Malizia is still shown as the former “Malizia – Seaexplorer”. Boris Herrmann and his team are set to take part in the Atlantic Race aboard the “Malizia 4”, which has just been launched:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter