Key Takeaways
- The Ocean Race Atlantic: A 3,300-nautical-mile transatlantic race from New York to Lorient, starting on Tuesday, September 2, 2026.
- 6 mixed crews competing, including two brand-new IMOCA foiling boats: DMG MORI Global One (designed by Guillaume Verdier) and Malizia 4 (designed by Antoine Koch).
- First head-to-head between these two innovative boats, showcasing the technological evolution of the IMOCA class.
- Fast race: Expected to last around 8 days, aided by the Gulf Stream and favorable winds.
- Stakes: Testing performance ahead of The Ocean Race 2027.
Why This Race Matters in the IMOCA Calendar
The Ocean Race Atlantic is more than just a transatlantic race. It marks the return of IMOCA boats to competition after the summer break and serves as an open-air laboratory for teams preparing for The Ocean Race, the crewed round-the-world race set to begin in January 2027.
This event allows skippers to:
- Fine-tune their boats, especially the new foiling designs like DMG MORI Global One and Malizia 4.
- Refine their strategies in real-world conditions with reduced crews (4 members).
- Measure themselves against other boats in the fleet, some of which are already well-tested (11th Hour Racing, United by the Ocean).
The Favorites: DMG MORI vs. Malizia – A Clash of Concepts
DMG MORI Global One: The Technological Breakthrough
- Designer: Guillaume Verdier (behind many winning IMOCA boats).
- Key innovation: A longitudinal bulb (inspired by the America’s Cup), a first in IMOCA.
- Goal: Enable early take-offs and stabilize the boat at high speeds.
- Crew reaction: Sam Davies (former Initiatives-Cœur skipper) describes it as a “rocket,” with impressive performance from the first trials.
Malizia 4: The Mastered Evolution
- Designer: Antoine Koch, Verdier’s long-time rival.
- Design: An evolution of previous Malizia boats, featuring pronounced chines at the bow.
- Skipper: Boris Herrmann, who has proven the reliability of his boats (3rd in the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe).
- Strength: An experienced team, including Justine Mettraux (former skipper of Embrace the Challenge).
→ The duel between these two boats will be the highlight, pitting two opposing design philosophies against each other.
The Other Contenders: Experience vs. Youth
Competing Boats and Teams
| Boat | Year | Skipper | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th Hour Racing | 2022 | Francesca Clapcich | Former Malizia-Sea Explorer, experienced crew with Will Harris |
| United by the Ocean | 2022 | Paul Meilhat | Former Biotherm, Meilhat knows the boat inside out |
| Embrace the Challenge | 2018 | Ollie Heer | Former Teamwork-Team SNEF, mixed crew (Marie Riou, Lincoln Dews) |
| MSIG Europe | 2007 | Conrad Colman | Only non-foiling boat in the fleet, but highly experienced |
Oliver Heer (Embrace the Challenge):
“We’re where we’re supposed to be after only three months on this boat. The goal? A clean race, with no mistakes—every slowdown costs dearly.”
A Demanding Course: The North Atlantic in Sprint Mode
- Distance: 3,300 nautical miles (~6,100 km).
- Estimated duration: 8 days (if weather conditions are favorable).
- Major challenge: Gulf Stream and shifting winds → crews must adapt in real time.
- Strategy: No room for improvisation. Sam Davies (37 transatlantic races under her belt) emphasizes:
“Expect the unexpected. The North Atlantic can be unpredictable, even in September.”
What to Watch For
✅ The DMG MORI vs. Malizia showdown: Which design will prevail? ✅ Crew consistency: With only 4 members, sleep and maneuver management will be critical. ✅ Weather conditions: A Gulf Stream-influenced course could hold surprises.
What’s Next?
This transatlantic race will serve as a dress rehearsal for The Ocean Race 2027. Lessons learned here could make the difference in the round-the-world race.
Follow the start from New York on September 2, 2026, and the finish in Lorient, the historic heart of IMOCA racing.