The iconic port, located in the heart of the renowned “Bretagne Sailing Valley” will host the departure of the IMOCA and VO65 fleets on their way south through the Bay of Biscay.
This is the first regatta to be held under the name The Ocean Race for IMOCA 60 class monohulls – equipped with the latest technology – and VO65 monotypes.
The Ocean Race Europe is the first step for the teams on their way to the 2022-23 edition of The Ocean Race, starting in Alicante, which will go around the world for the fourteenth time and, for some IMOCA teams, points the way to the Vendée Globe 2024.
“Lorient has been an important chapter in the history of The Ocean Race, as it was an excellent stopover for the regatta in 2011-12 and 2014-15. Lorient is now the port of departure for a new European-oriented event. , and where a new and exciting story begins. We are going to sail from the heart of what is known as the Bretagne Sailing Valley and head towards the heart of Europe, generating a platform for the sport of sailing and driving change towards a planet healthier along the way, “said Johan Salén, Managing Director of The Ocean Race.
The Ocean Race Europe will bring together the best teams and international sailors from the two classes that compete in the next round the world tour, the VO65 and the IMOCA 60.
Both fleets will compete under a full crew configuration during several stages that will link emblematic European cities, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, arriving in Genoa (Italy) in the third week of June.
Lorient will host the departure during the last weekend of May. As the home port of many IMOCAs, The Lorient Base is ready to welcome boats and racing teams before the start of The Ocean Race Europe.
“At Lorient La Base we are very proud to host the start of The Ocean Race Europe. With almost 50 local businesses related to ocean navigation, Lorient Agglomération is a European territory of recognized nautical excellence, ”said Fabrice Loher, President of Lorient Agglomération and Mayor of Lorient.
“Lorient La Base has all the advantages of being a consolidated ecosystem to support the best sailing teams. That is why the best skippers chose Lorient La Base as their base port. The start of The Ocean Race Europe is a new step to consolidate the reputation of the city as host of the best ocean races. ”
The fleets will meet in Lorient prior to departure on May 28. Before arriving in Brittany, the VO65 fleet will take part in The Ocean Race Europe Prologue event, which will start in the Baltic Sea in early May and descend south to meet the IMOCA fleet at Lorient La Base at the end of the month.
The organizers of The Ocean Race Europe prioritize the health and safety of all competitors and parties involved and will follow all relevant regulations and warnings regarding Covid-19.
