Sailing
What is The Ocean Race Atlantic? New transatlantic sailing race explained
Watch The Ocean Race Atlantic for free on DAZN
The Ocean Race is embarking on a new adventure in 2026 with the first edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic.
Six elite sailing teams will race approximately 3,000 nautical miles across the North Atlantic, travelling from New York City to Lorient, France, aboard some of the fastest offshore racing boats in the world.
The new competition is the first point-to-point race in The Ocean Race's history and introduces a new format, including mandatory gender-balanced crews.
So, what exactly is The Ocean Race Atlantic and how does it work?
Fans worldwide can watch The Ocean Race Atlantic live and for free on DAZN.
What is The Ocean Race Atlantic?
Dazn Media
The Ocean Race Atlantic is a new fully-crewed transatlantic sailing race organised by The Ocean Race.
The competition makes its debut in September 2026 and is the first point-to-point event in the more than 50-year history of The Ocean Race.
Unlike the organisation's famous round-the-world race, The Ocean Race Atlantic is built around one high-speed crossing of the North Atlantic.
Six teams will compete aboard foiling IMOCA boats, with crews racing around the clock from New York City to Lorient.
The event also acts as a bridge towards the next edition of The Ocean Race around the world, which is scheduled to begin in Alicante in January 2027.
What is The Ocean Race Atlantic route?
The inaugural race begins in New York City on September 1 before finishing in Lorient, France.
The route covers approximately 3,000 nautical miles across the North Atlantic.
After leaving New York, the teams will race through the Gulf Stream as they look to find the quickest route northeast towards Europe.
The powerful ocean current can help generate the strong winds required for a rapid Atlantic crossing, but changing weather systems mean navigational decisions could have a major impact on the result.
The leading boats are expected to arrive in Lorient around September 8-9, although the exact crossing time will depend on conditions.
Follow the race from New York to Lorient live and for free on DAZN.
What boats are used in The Ocean Race Atlantic?
The Ocean Race Atlantic is contested using IMOCA boats.
IMOCA 60s are 60-foot offshore racing yachts designed to compete over enormous distances at high speeds.
Modern IMOCAs use foils that generate lift as the boat accelerates, reducing the amount of hull in the water and allowing the boats to reach remarkable speeds in favourable conditions.
The Ocean Race Atlantic is a fully-crewed IMOCA event, meaning the boats will be raced by teams rather than the solo or double-handed crews seen in some other major offshore competitions.
Two new-generation IMOCA boats are also set to make their competitive debuts in the inaugural race.
Which teams are competing in The Ocean Race Atlantic?
Six teams will compete in the first edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic:
- Team Malizia
- Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing
- United by the Ocean
- DMG MORI Sailing Team
- Embrace The Challenge
- MSIG Europe
The fleet includes some of the most experienced names in offshore sailing.
Germany's Boris Herrmann leads Team Malizia, while Francesca Clapcich skippers Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing.
Paul Meilhat returns with United by the Ocean after leading his crew to victory in The Ocean Race Europe in 2025, while Kojiro Shiraishi, Oliver Heer and Conrad Colman skipper the remaining three teams.
How many sailors are on each The Ocean Race Atlantic boat?
Each team races with a crew of four sailors.
The Ocean Race Atlantic introduces a historic rule requiring every racing crew to consist of two women and two men.
It is the first time in The Ocean Race's history that a mandatory 50/50 gender split has been introduced across the entire fleet.
Each boat also carries an On Board Reporter (OBR). The reporter is not part of the four-person racing crew and is responsible for capturing the action and life aboard the boat during the crossing.
That footage will help bring fans closer to the race, including through daily OnBoard Live coverage during the Atlantic crossing.
The Ocean Race Atlantic and its daily onboard coverage can be watched for free on DAZN.
Why are The Ocean Race Atlantic teams collecting scientific data?
The boats will be doing more than racing during their journey from the United States to France.
All six IMOCAs are carrying scientific equipment to collect information from the Gulf Stream, with more than 800,000 ocean measurements expected to be gathered during the event.
The equipment will measure data including sea surface temperature, salinity and dissolved carbon dioxide.
The information can then be used by scientists studying the Gulf Stream and changes to ocean circulation and the climate.
How to watch The Ocean Race Atlantic for free on DAZN
JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images
The Ocean Race Atlantic is available live and for free on DAZN worldwide.
Fans can watch coverage of the New York departure and follow the fleet throughout the crossing with daily OnBoard Live programmes.
To watch The Ocean Race Atlantic on DAZN:
- Sign in or register for a free DAZN account
- From the DAZN homepage, select 'Sports'
- Choose 'Sailing' from the list of sports
- Click The Ocean Race Atlantic to watch
