Lorient to host the start of The Ocean Race Europe
The French city of Lorient (Brittany) has been appointed as the starting point for The Ocean Race Europe.
The port will host the start for both the IMOCA and VO65 fleets as they charge south across the Bay of Biscay.
For the teams, The Ocean Race Europe will be the first step on the journey towards the 2022-23 edition of The Ocean Race round the world event and for some IMOCA teams for the Vendee Globe 2024 as well.
“Lorient has been an important part of the history of The Ocean Race, as a much-loved stopover port in 2011-12 and 2014-15,” says Johan Salen, The Ocean Race’s MD.
“Now Lorient becomes the starting port for a new, Europe-oriented event, and a fresh, exciting story begins. We are racing from the heart of what we call the French sailing valley and into the heart of Europe, providing a platform for extraordinary sport and driving change towards a healthier planet along the way.”
The two fleets, the VO65s and the IMOCA 60s, will race in a fully-crewed configuration in stages between iconic European cities, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and a finish in Genoa, Italy in the third week of June.
Lorient will host the start over the last weekend in May. As the home port for many IMOCAs, Lorient La Base is well positioned to welcome the race boats and teams ahead of the start of The Ocean Race Europe.
“Lorient La Base has all the advantages of a consolidated ecosystem to support the greatest sailing teams. This is why the top skippers chose Lorient La Base as their home port. The start of The Ocean Race Europe is a new step to consolidate the reputation of the city as a host port for amazing offshore sailing races,” says Fabrice Loher, the president of the Lorient Agglomération, and the mayor of Lorient.
Prior to arriving in Brittany, the VO65 fleet will participate in The Ocean Race Europe Prologue event, beginning in the Baltic Sea in early May and winding south before gathering at Lorient La Base at the end of the month, alongside the IMOCA fleet.
