Having recently enjoyed the opportunity to travel with The Ocean Race Europe, after a decade’s absence from the world of professional racing events, it was impossible to miss the pervasive sense of purpose. Amid the triumphant, high-energy and emotive champion's welcome and send-off, a comprehensive learning and ocean conservation advocacy programme backed up a clear message to protect our ocean. I listened to world-class sailors imploring audiences to pay attention to scientists regarding climate change, and using their platforms to promote sustainable practices, while during sailing legs, each team took part in generating ocean data collection.
A Modern Odyssey
In an era of fleeting digital fame and superficial celebrity, the offshore ocean sailor, particularly in solo races, presents an interesting case for a new kind of epic hero. Facing formidable conditions, reporting extreme fatigue and suffering invariable technical challenges, they demonstrate classic virtues of courage, mastery, and perseverance.
High achievers in sport inspire significant admiration among their followers, but when supported by an infrastructure that promotes environmental education, ocean science, citizen engagement, and pushes diversity and accessibility with greater female involvement across the board, a sports event takes on a new dimension. Heroism’s missing noble cause - in this case, driving action for global ocean conservation - completes the narrative.
In the absence of divine intervention, these individuals are self-made; their abilities a result of years of intense training. Their participation is also a question of choice – some even confessing a preference for being at sea. They then put their skills to good by using their phenomenal talent to provide visibility for scientific research and create a positive impact.
Foundations and collaborations
Teamwork is a prevalent topic in offshore racing culture, whether in terms of fellow sailors or the onshore crew that prepare and maintain the boat, help with training and offer 24-hour support. Beyond this is of course the role of the race organiser, choosing to bring more purpose to racing, offering an exciting human endeavour/sustainable action arena to partners, creating the means for professionals to race, and empowering sailors and teams to be a voice for the ocean.
There is perhaps still potential here to both reincorporate the stories behind technical advancements, with spectator attention clearly drawn to the IMOCA’s foils and outriggers, and widen participant understanding of the data they are gathering on board, but all the corresponding pieces seem to be in place. Events are run like clockwork, and the personal dedication and expertise of organisation staff is manifest.
The Ocean
The vast ocean, with its mercurial temperament, witness to appalling levels of pollution, overfishing, acidification and biodiversity loss, is the perfect stage. Since 2022, The Ocean Race has pushed for the adoption of a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights, moving the sailor's role away from being a conqueror of the ocean and towards becoming a symbol for stewardship. The "epic" is no longer about vanquishing a foe, but about a quest to understand, respect, and protect the very entity that tests them.
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Image:
Leg 4 The Ocean Race Europe 2025. From Nice to Genova. Copyright: Flore Hartout / The Ocean Race