The Ocean Race Europe will make a stopover in Nice, a first in the Mediterranean for this stage-based sailing race. After traversing several European countries, the skippers will dock on the Cรดte dโAzur for three days of events and public meetings.
After hosting the finish of the Tour de France in 2024, the Paris 2024 Olympics, and many international competitions like the Ironman, Nice is preparing to welcome The Ocean Race Europe. This crewed stage-based sailing race is the European version of The Ocean Race, the famous around-the-world tour. The start is scheduled for August 10 in Kiel, Germany, and the skippers will make landfall on August 29 in Nice for a three-day stopover. This 2025 edition is the first public version as, in 2021, a pilot format was conducted, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no onshore activities or traveling village were organized during the stopovers.
During these six weeks of racing, the boats called IMOCA will cross seven European countries and will make stops at Kiel (Germany), Portsmouth (United Kingdom), Matosinhos (Portugal), Cartagena (Spain), Nice (France), Genoa (Italy), and Boca Bay (Montenegro), where the arrival is set for September 21. Most of these boats have been used for the Vendรฉe Globe. The monohulls measure more than 18 meters long and are sometimes equipped with foils. Unlike the famous French race, the Vendรฉe Globe, this event is not solo but crewed. On each boat, a small team of four sailors will be present, including at least one woman and two different nationalities as well as an Onboard reporter. The level will be very high as several skippers from the Vendรฉe Globe 2025 will compete, like Yoann Richomme, Paul Meilhat, Thomas Ruyant, and the fastest around the world solo sailor, Justine Mettraux. The crews will also rely on the presence of several French sailors such as Franck Cammas, Christopher Pratt, and Manon Peyre.
A strategic and ambitious stopover in Nice
For this first edition, Nice will be the only French stopover of The Ocean Race Europe and especially the first in the Mediterranean. A strategic choice but not easy to achieve, as explained by Johan Salen, the director of The Ocean Race: “France is very important for us because sailing is a major sport there, but it is never simple to organize a stopover. It was a real logistical challenge.” Historically, major French nautical events take place on the Atlantic coast. With Nice, The Ocean Race Europe wanted to mark a turning point: “we were looking for a solution on the Mediterranean side. For us, Nice is the most suitable city. It is international and connected thanks to its airport and has an ideal bay for the race,” justifies Johan Salen.
In Nice, the festivities will not just be on the water. From August 29 to 31, visitors can enjoy the Ocean Live Park, a free village set up on the quai Amiral Infernet where various activities, concerts, exhibitions, and meetings with the skippers will be organized. “It will be a real moment for the public, with events all day long. The boats will be visible up close, the crews will do ‘speed runs’ right in front of the coast… The idea is to create a family and public event,” insists the director. Between 100,000 and 150,000 visitors are expected in Nice during these three days.
A race in service of the oceans
Beyond the sporting aspect, the race also carries a strong message in favor of the environment. The competition is part of the “Racing For The Ocean” program focused on education, science, and the preservation of marine ecosystems. Each boat is also equipped with scientific instruments capable of measuring water salinity and temperature, as well as collecting microplastics and environmental DNA. For Johan Salen, it’s important for them to contribute to advancing science: “we work a lot with different organizations on projects to improve the health of the oceans.”
