The Ocean Race Announces St. Pete-Clearwater as New U.S. Stopover for 2027 Race

The Ocean Race, a premier fully-crewed offshore sailing race, will include St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida, as a new stopover in the 15th edition of the race in 2027. This marks the first time in the event’s 54-year history that a port on Florida’s Gulf Coast will be featured in the race.

Race Details and Schedule

The 15th edition of The Ocean Race will commence on January 17, 2027, from Alicante, Spain. The race will feature the foiling IMOCA fleet embarking on a 14,000-nautical-mile opening leg to Auckland, New Zealand. Following Auckland, teams will proceed to Itajaí, Brazil, before arriving in St. Pete-Clearwater in May 2027.

St. Pete-Clearwater Stopover

The St. Pete-Clearwater stopover is scheduled from May 4-16, 2027. The Ocean Live Park race village will be located at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, in partnership with the University of South Florida (USF). The IMOCA fleet will be berthed at the waterfront by USF during the stopover.

Transatlantic Leg to Cascais

Following the St. Pete-Clearwater stopover, the race will continue with a 4,500-nautical-mile transatlantic leg to Cascais, Portugal. This leg will connect two coastal cities with a strong passion for the ocean.

Enthusiasm from Sailors and Officials

Charlie Enright, the winner of the 2023 Ocean Race and CEO of US Sailing, expressed his excitement about bringing Grand Prix racing with foiling IMOCAs to the USA. He described the American-Portuguese “transat” as a stage he would eagerly participate in.

Cascais as a Destination

Crews are expected to arrive in Cascais, Portugal, on May 26, 2027, and depart on June 6 for the final leg towards Amaala, Saudi Arabia. Cascais previously hosted Ocean Race Europe in 2021 and has a rich sailing history.

The Ocean Race: A History of Competition and Sustainability

Since 1973, The Ocean Race has been a challenging test for sailing teams and a unique human adventure. The 14th edition, completed in 2023, saw Charlie Enright’s 11th Hour Racing Team win the Imoca regatta. The race also emphasizes sustainability through its Racing for the Ocean program, focusing on ocean health and minimizing environmental impact.

Future of the Race

The Ocean Race 2027 will continue to feature the high-tech IMOCA fleet, known for their foiling capabilities. The race aims to connect perfect sailing areas across the Atlantic and promote ocean conservation.