On January 17, 2027, the fleet leaves Alicante, Spain, for a record-breaking opening leg to Auckland, New Zealand. This mammoth 14,000 nautical mile journey marks a first in our 53-year history, sending crews halfway around the world – down the Atlantic, around the Cape of Good Hope, and through the Southern Ocean – all in one go.
📍 The full route will be revealed soon, with four iconic stops already confirmed:
- 🇪🇸 Start: Alicante, Spain – The historic start of the Race returns for the 6th time.
- 🇳🇿 Leg 1 Finish: Auckland, New Zealand
- 🇧🇷 Stopover: Itajaí, Brazil
- 🇸🇦 Grand Finale: AMAALA, Red Sea – A spectacular finish in a new destination.
Racing For The Ocean The 2027 edition isn’t just about speed; it’s about stewardship.
- Science on Board: Every boat will carry equipment to gather vital data on ocean health and climate change.
- Mixed Crews: All teams will include female sailors, reinforcing our commitment to equality.
- Live Action: With the new OnboardLive system, you’ll be connected to the sailors in real-time like never before.
What’s Next? The countdown to 2027 has begun, but you don’t have to wait that long for action. Keep an eye out this summer for The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 – racing from New York to Europe!
For updates and information, follow us on social media. #TheOceanRace #AlicanteToAuckland #SailingAustralia
More Offshore Sailing stories: Click here
