After more than 400 nautical miles of intense competition, the fourth leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 concluded this morning in Genoa with a memorable victory for Ambrogio Beccaria and his Allagrande Mapei Racing team. The Italian skipper, joined by Thomas Ruyant, crossed the finish line first, fulfilling the dream of winning in home waters, cheered on by hundreds of fans gathered at the harbour.

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The stage, which began in Nice, was marked by fierce competition among the frontrunners throughout much of the course. At midday yesterday, just a few miles separated the top four boats as they inched their way through the Gulf of Genoa in very light winds. Allagrande Mapei Racing was locked in a close battle with the French teams Paprec Arkéa and Biotherm, as well as the Swiss entry Holcim-PRB.

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During the approach to a waypoint off Alassio, it looked as though Holcim-PRB, led in this leg by Nicolas Lunven, might snatch the lead after making a bold move to the south. However, Beccaria and his crew found the right angle to surge ahead at the crucial moment, reaching the virtual mark in first place and taking control of the race in its decisive phase.

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The final 24 hours were a real tactical test. With winds rarely exceeding ten knots, the fleet had to make the most of every puff of breeze while navigating the Tuscan waters and edging towards the gulf. The previous night, Holcim-PRB had been leading through the Strait of Bonifacio, closely followed by Paprec Arkéa, Biotherm and Allagrande Mapei Racing. In that narrow passage, the funnelling effect between Corsica and Sardinia caused the wind to rise dramatically from just five knots to gusts of nearly 30, forcing crews to change sails quickly to adapt.

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“In Bonifacio the wind picked up a lot because of the geography. We went from five knots to 30 in just a few minutes,” explained Lunven after finishing. “Even so, it was a relatively calm day compared to what that strait can be like.”

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Not all teams had the same fortune. Team Malizia, Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive, and Team AMAALA encountered lighter winds in that area and lost valuable miles, slipping out of contention for the lead.

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As dawn broke today, Allagrande Mapei Racing consolidated its advantage. With just a few miles to go, their lead over Paprec Arkéa had stretched to 18 nautical miles, giving Beccaria and Ruyant a buffer to manage the final approach with confidence.

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The atmosphere in the port of Genoa was electric as the Italian IMOCA crossed the line. Beccaria, visibly moved, reflected on the challenging road to this moment: “At the start of the race in Kiel, we had a collision with another team, and it was very tough to rebuild both the boat and our hopes. Winning here, at home, with all these people supporting us, is just incredible. I am so, so happy.”

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This victory carries special significance for the Milan-born skipper, who grew up dreaming of competing in these waters. The image of Allagrande Mapei Racing entering the harbour with Genoa’s skyline in the background will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the race.

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This fourth leg proved to be one of the toughest and most strategic of the event, with constantly changing conditions that demanded total focus and very little rest. Benjamin Ferré, crew member on Biotherm, summed up the challenge: “No one knows what’s going to happen. You study the weather and try to understand, but in the end, it’s completely different. You just have to adapt, keep moving, and try to go as fast as possible in the right direction.”

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For Beccaria and his team, today there was no uncertainty, only the joy of a truly unforgettable victory in the heart of the Mediterranean.

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With the Genoa leg now complete, attention turns to the grand finale of The Ocean Race Europe 2025. The fifth and final stage will take the fleet to Boka Bay, Montenegro, where the overall champion will be decided. The IMOCA arrivals are expected between 15 and 16 September, while the Ocean Live Park will be open from 15 to 21 September to welcome teams and fans.

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On 17 September, the Fan Day will take place, offering a chance for interaction with the public. The Final Scoring Race is scheduled for 20 September, a short race that could prove decisive for the final standings. The event will conclude on 21 September with the prize-giving ceremony and the official farewell to the fleet, closing a thrilling edition of the race that has delivered drama, excitement and unforgettable moments.