This Sunday the seven crews of The Ocean Race Europe will line up for the ultimate challenge: a 2 000 nautical mile course from Genoa, Italy, to the Bay of Boka in Montenegro. It will be the fifth and final leg of an edition defined by intensity, upsets and the Mediterranean itself as the main stage.
After four legs full of drama, the finale promises even more. The fleet is expected to reach Montenegro on Monday, 15 September. The course, announced on Friday morning, takes the fleet south, departing from Genoa today at 15:00 CEST, before rounding Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, continuing into Greek waters and then turning north for the final stretch through the Adriatic.
Max Gallais of Race Control explained: “We needed a course that could adapt to the unpredictable Mediterranean weather, so we added flexibility with mobile waypoints.” Among the main tests are four lighthouses and four islands to round near Sicily, including Ustica, Pantelleria and Gozo. The fleet must also pass through an 11 mile gate southeast of Sicily that could regroup the boats before heading towards a waypoint off Greece and into the narrow, tricky Adriatic.
“It’s a proper lap of the Mediterranean, really fascinating,” said Alan Roberts of Holcim-PRB. “We can expect every kind of condition. It will be full of surprises.” Gautier Levisse of Paprec Arkéa agreed: “The Mediterranean can sometimes be a lottery. You have to keep your eyes on the sky and take every opportunity.”
Beyond tactics, stamina will be key. “It’s easy to burn out,” admitted Roberts. Amélie Grassi of Biotherm stressed the importance of pacing: “This is not a three-day sprint. We’ll need an ocean-racing rhythm if we’re going to recover properly.”
Sixteen points are still at stake: two at the scoring gate, seven for the leg win and another seven in the final In-Port Race in the Bay of Kotor on 20 September. Biotherm leads on 41 points, 12 clear of Paprec Arkéa, and remains the favourite. “We’re in a strong position,” said Grassi. “The key is not to make mistakes. We don’t need to do anything extraordinary.”
Biotherm has strengthened its line-up with Spanish sailor Carlos Manera, 27 years old, born in Madrid and raised in Catalonia, with experience in the Mini Transat and classic offshore races such as the Fastnet.
Behind the leader the fight for the podium is wide open. Paprec Arkéa, with 29 points, and Holcim-PRB, on 27.3, are locked in a head-to-head battle for second place. Allagrande Mapei Racing, on 19, and Team Malizia, on 18, are close behind, while Canada Ocean Racing, with 13, continues its duel with Team Amaala, on 7, for sixth. “Our goal is to win the leg and secure second overall,” said Roberts. Levisse responded: “It could come down to strategy. We’re stronger upwind and in light airs, they’re faster downwind. The fleet could easily split.”
There are also several crew changes. Rosalin Kuiper returns to Holcim-PRB, Will Harris rejoins Team Malizia, while Biotherm adds not only Manera but also fellow Spaniard Carlos Menara, runner-up in the 2023 Mini Transat. Paprec Arkéa brings in Levisse for his first leg, with Hugo Feydit joining Allagrande Mapei Racing. Team Amaala will line up with Swiss sailors Jessica Berthoud and Yann Burkhalter, alongside Alan Roura and Conrad Colman.
The finish in Boka Bay should provide a fitting climax: a dramatic natural setting and a final sprint with everything still undecided. From the battle for the overall title to the contests for the podium and fourth place, no crew will be able to let up. The Mediterranean, as unpredictable as ever, will have the final word.
Live coverage of the arrivals will begin 15 minutes before the first boat crosses the line on HBO Max, Discovery+ and the official channels of The Ocean Race. On 20 September the coastal regatta in Boka Bay will open with a Parade of Sail between 12:00 and 13:00 CEST, followed by the race itself from 14:00 to 15:30 CEST. Both will be shown on Eurosport, HBO Max and Discovery+ across Europe, except in the UK, Italy and Germany.
