The battle for podium positions in the fifth and final stage of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 is reaching a thrilling conclusion as the top five teams approach the finish line in Boka Bay, Montenegro, after a 1,600-nautical mile journey from Genova, Italy.
Overnight, the leading group entered the Adriatic Sea after navigating the Strait of Otranto, marking a historic moment as this is the first time boats from The Ocean Race have competed in the Adriatic.
Current overall race leader Paul Meihat’s Biotherm (FRA) maintains a slight edge but faces competition from second-placed Team Paprec Arkéa (FRA), led by Yoann Richomme, who has chosen a bold eastern route along the Albanian coastline. The outcome of the final 100 nautical miles remains uncertain.
In pursuit of the leaders, Rosalin Kuiper’s Team Holcim – PRB and Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia (GER) are locked in a tight contest, battling for position under challenging conditions. Despite lighter winds, the teams are engaged in a strategic match race, making critical decisions on sail choices and tactics.
Team Holcim – PRB sailor Carolijn Brouwer noted the difficulties in maintaining speed, stating, “The wind is incredibly shifty – 20 to 25 degrees sometimes. You need to be precise and attentive to the changes in pressure and wind shifts. It’s demanding work to keep the boat fast.” This sentiment is echoed by Team Malizia’s Will Harris, who described the conditions as tricky and bouncy, requiring constant effort to maintain speed.
Meanwhile, Ambrogio Beccaria’s Allagrande Mapei crew has found themselves behind after a previous strategy to move towards the Italian coast did not yield the desired results, dropping them from third to fifth place.
As of 1400 CEST, Biotherm has approximately 70 nautical miles left to race, holding an 18 nautical mile lead over Team Holcim – PRB in second place, with Team Malizia just under a mile behind in third. Paprec Arkéa trails in fourth, while Allagrande Mapei seeks to close a 20 nautical mile gap to regain a podium position.
For Biotherm, a top-three finish would secure enough points to clinch victory in The Ocean Race Europe ahead of the Coastal Race scheduled for Saturday.
Additionally, the crew of Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive, led by Pip Hare, must remain vigilant against Alan Roura’s Team AMAALA (SUI/KSA), who have significantly narrowed the gap from over 100 miles down to just 13 nautical miles within the last 24 hours.
Weather routing estimates suggest that the first boat could arrive in Boka Bay between 0300 and 0500 CEST, setting the stage for an exhilarating finish.
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