The Ocean Race: Freestyle only for the Imocas, short programme for the VO65 yachts

The long-awaited setback for the queen of crewed regattas around the world is now official: with the Imocas, only one of the two planned classes will contest the 14th edition of The Ocean Race on course around the world. The second field of VO65 yachts remained too shaky for the full round. Due to a lack of sufficient budgets, it had become apparent in recent months that the 65cc division was unlikely to have a veritable fleet for a race around the world.

Short programme for the VO65 yachts: gaining experience for the future in three stages of the Sprint Cup

The organisers have reacted and worked on an alternative. Around six weeks before the first starting signal, they are now introducing a new competition under the umbrella of The Ocean Race: The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup. Remotely based on the format of the Ocean Race Europe 2021, up to five VO65 yachts will take part in the little Ocean Race sister event as part of the Legends Race. The winner will be the team with the best result on the three legs from Alicante to the Cape Verde Islands, from Århus to The Hague and from The Hague to Genoa. The VO65 yachts will also take part in the harbour races in the participating cities.

"This new trophy will allow a new generation of sailors to gain valuable ocean racing experience alongside familiar faces," explains Race Director Phil Lawrence. "We're super happy to be taking part in the Harbour Race (8 January) and then into the long leg. We're looking forward to three incredible races against top competition," says 27-year-old Dutchman and "Jajo" skipper Jelmer van Beek, representing the VO65 teams, who will remain in the race, albeit at a much shorter distance, thanks to the Sprint Cup.

Strong German line-up in the race around the world

The newly introduced Imoca class, on the other hand, will start with five boats in all seven legs around the world. This even includes two boats with German sailors for the first time: Boris Herrmann and his team Malizia will start the ocean marathon off Alicante on 15 January under the German flag. Guyot Environnement - Team Europe with co-skippers Benjamin Dutreux and Robert Stanjek from Berlin will be racing under the French-German flag. Their strong rivals are Charlie Enright's US team 11th Hour Racing, Kevin Escoffier's Swiss team Holcim - PRB and Paul Meilhat's Team Biotherm Racing.

Click here to go to the homepage of the race around the world.

More about The Ocean Race:

• The Ocean Race: The new members of Team Malizia - Eliès and Pillain on board
• The Ocean Race: 100 days until the start
• The Ocean Race: US media giant gets involved in ocean reporting