"The Ocean Race Europe": The race from Kilo to Tivat has begun

The second edition of The Ocean Race Europe started today from Kiel, Germany, with seven fully equipped teams competing in five stages of the grand prix format, from the Baltic to the Adriatic Sea.

The 4.500-nautical-mile, six-week race began today with a demanding and technically complex stage from Kiel to Portsmouth on the south coast of England, where the four-member crews are expected to arrive on Thursday.

After a short delay, the second stage, which starts on Sunday, August 17th, will be the longest and will bring double points.

The departure is from the Royal Yacht Squadron line at Couza, from where the fleet passes through the English Channel, out into the Atlantic, then through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea and ends in the Spanish port of Cartagena. This leg also includes a three-hour “fly-by” stop in the Portuguese port of Matosinhos.

From Cartagena, the regatta heads to Nice in the south of France, then Genoa in Italy, and for the first time ends in the Adriatic Sea, in the Bay of Kotor.

The final coastal regatta will take place from the bay on Saturday, September 20th, and will carry the same number of points as each of the five open sea stages.

The crews represent an international selection of the world's best ocean sailors from 13 different countries, including France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and the USA.

Among them are 11 skippers from the last Vendée Globe competition and six former winners of The Ocean Race.

The Ocean Race Europe Race Director, Phil Lawrence, says that this competition, which combines open sea navigation with demanding coastal challenges – variable offshore winds, headlands, tidal passages and restricted zones – is truly a test of ability under pressure.

"This is an intense race," he said.

"Most stages last four days and the crews will be maximally focused. They will be exposed to all possible challenges and it will be a real test."

As with most recent IMOCA regattas, Lawrence expects a close fight for the podium, with small differences between the leaders.

“Given the quality of the fleet, the points will be fairly evenly distributed, which promises to be a very competitive race. I am hoping for an open battle in which even the coastal regatta off Montenegro could decide the winner or the placing at the top.” Lawrence adds that The Ocean Race Europe, with full control of the race from its headquarters in Alicante, is particularly pleased with the quality of the sailors taking part.