Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe begins

The second leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 commenced in Portsmouth on August 17, 2025, with a fleet of seven IMOCAs setting sail at 17:00 local time. The race will cover 1,400 nautical miles to Cartagena, Spain, with a brief stopover in Matosinhos-Porto midweek. Conditions were ideal at the start, featuring downwind sailing with 10-14 knots of wind and a favorable tidal current in the Solent.

Leading the fleet off the historic Royal Yacht Squadron starting line was Yoann Richomme aboard Paprec Arkéa. However, it was Paul Meilhat’s Biotherm that clinched the maximum two points at The Needles scoring gate, followed closely by Paprec Arkéa, who secured one point. This success means Biotherm maintains a perfect record in the competition so far.

Finishing third at the gate was Team Holcim PRB, followed by Team Malizia and Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive. Despite their recent struggles, Team Holcim PRB expressed excitement about their return to racing. Skipper Alan Roberts noted that their experience during the repair stage has united the crew, enhancing their focus and motivation.

Allagrande Mapei Racing arrived in Portsmouth shortly before the start but skipper Ambrogio Beccaria was optimistic, welcoming the strong winds expected during the first night of racing. For Biotherm, the challenge lies in maintaining their lead. Meilhat emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming scoring gate and preparing for the long race ahead.

Team Malizia, buoyed by a recent performance that saw them take second place after a tactical gamble, is excited for the high-speed conditions expected. Co-skipper Will Harris highlighted the fresh energy brought by their newly rotated crew, aiming for a strong performance.

Paprec Arkéa’s Richomme anticipates an exhilarating start, enjoying the spinnaker launch down the Solent and a fast run through the Channel. He acknowledged the tactical complexities that lie ahead, particularly around Brittany. Team Holcim’s Roberts agreed that this leg is shaping up to be one of the most tactically interesting, moving from Channel sailing into the Bay of Biscay.

For the teams further down the leaderboard, like Canada Ocean Racing, the goal is to maintain speed and stay in close contact with the leading pack. Pip Hare emphasized the importance of maximizing boat speed and making strategic changes to keep pace.

The provisional leaderboard after the scoring gate shows Biotherm leading with 11 points, followed by Paprec Arkéa with 7 points and Team Malizia with 6 points. The fleet is expected to arrive in Porto by Wednesday for the short stopover before continuing on to Cartagena.

Race coverage is available at www.theoceanrace.com and across media partner platforms including Warner Bros. Discovery.