Kiwi sailor Conrad Colman announces his new team to take on The Ocean Race

The Ocean Race

Kiwi offshore sailor and 2-time Vendée Globe racer Conrad Colman announces his new team, Aotearoa Ocean Racing, to take on The Ocean Race

After completing two Vendée Globe solo around the world races and a total of now four laps circumnavigating the planet, this is a coming-home for the kiwi sailor after becoming one of the fiercest competitors in France and Europe in recent years.

Joined by his co-founder and fellow kiwi Rowan Gyde, a marine business and diplomacy expert, the pair are currently building a formidable squad of New Zealand’s best offshore sailing talent, whilst also laying out clear pathways for youth, women and Maori involvement on water and on shore.

“I grew up in Auckland idolising the ocean racing sailors that tore in and out of the city on their way to the ocean’s most remote reaches. I was inspired by their courage, thirst for adventure and because the Kiwis were inevitably holding the trophy at the end! Now I want to build a new Kiwi team to take on the challenge again, as a team and as a country!”
– Conrad Colman, co-founder Aotearoa Ocean Racing

Plans are underway for a new foiling IMOCA boat to be designed and built with as much kiwi involvement as possible, with bases planned for New Zealand and France.

On the water, Conrad has set the bar for the global IMOCA fleet and demonstrated his commitment to decarbonisation by completing his last two Vendée Globe campaigns without burning any fossil fuels.

“It’s very encouraging to hear about Conrad and Rowan and their ambition to compete in the next edition of The Ocean Race as Aotearoa Ocean Racing. Conrad has shown incredible resilience and a clear commitment to sustainability in his two IMOCA campaigns which sets a solid foundation for building his new team. As an event, we are excited to be returning to New Zealand in 2027 and of course it will be fantastic to have a Kiwi team in the mix when the fleet races into Auckland.”
– Johan Salen, President The Ocean Race

With the support of institutional partners across both nations, plans are afoot for further economic and cultural exchanges with marine, technology and decarbonisation-focused companies across both continents.

A loyal group of corporate sponsors have already pledged support and the team is now actively taking further expressions of interest from new partners and sponsors who share the core values of AOR.

“It’s a dream come true to work with Conrad and bring back a kiwi team to such an iconic event. This project is so much more than offshore sailing, we hope to inspire a generation of ecologically conscious sporting superstars.”
– Rowan Gyde, co-founder Aotearoa Ocean Racing.

With a soon to be released elite sailing squad, board of directors, key corporate partners, this is an exciting time for the future of New Zealand sailing. The Ocean Race is considered the toughest race in all of sport, Colman and his team are setting out to win it.

“As a keen fan of sailing I’ve been blown away by what Conrad has achieved in recent years and now launching Aotearoa Ocean Racing is the perfect way for him and Rowan to bring their expertise back to New Zealand.”
– Sean Fitzpatrick, ex All Blacks captain & Chairman Laureus Sports Academy.