Paul Meilhat's team crossed the finish line at Portsmouth at 09: 48 '30 "This morning's UTC, achieving maximum points available at this stage. Two points thanks to the Scoring Gate in Kiel, seven points for the stage victory, and is located at the top of the ranking with nine points (Photo Vintcent Curutchet)

Paul Meilhat, happy at his arrival in the pants: "It is an enormous satisfaction to win this race and, in addition, we won the Scoring Gate on the exit from Kiel, so now we are waiting to see what happens in the battle between Team Malizia and Paprec Arkéa to know how many points of advantage we have, but it all starts very well. We're in a good dynamic. Already in Kiel I felt the crew, the equipment and the ship were ready. It is true that this stage was more favourable to us, with a flat sea and a lot of girth, and it is great to have won it. We should have a lot of conditions like this in The Ocean Race Europe."

So is the general of the first stage at the moment

2025-08-13: The Ocean Race Europe: the fleet is expected today in Portsmouth, after a complicated final stretch

Holcim-PRB repairs the damage to the hull (Photo Vincent Curutchet)

The arrival of the competitors is scheduled for Thursday in Portsmouth, at the end of this first stage of The Ocean Race Europe. Before, you will have to go through a new area of strong wind, currents that test the nerves and numerous turns despite the fatigue that is noted... a very complicated end of stage is expected. Early this morning... Biotherm maintains its advantage, with 18 miles over Paprec Arkéa (2nd) and 27 over Team Malizia (3rd).

They have the voice of those who have already fought a hard battle... and they know that another is waiting for them. This Wednesday morning, after 2 days and 16 hours of race from Kiel (Germany), the patterns are fully aware that everything remains to be decided along the 130 miles (240 km) that separate them from Portsmouth (England), where they are expected on Thursday morning. "The whole tour along the English coast is going to give us war, it can be very unpredictable," says Will Harris (Team Malizia).

2025-08-12: The Ocean Race Europe: Difficulties for Ambrogio Beccaria and the Allagrande

Incident at the exit for Ambrogio Beccaria and the crew of the Allagrande Mapei in the first stage of The Ocean Race Europe... just two minutes after the initial gunshot, the IMOCA Allagrande Mapei and Holcim-PRB collided; there were no injuries, but both ships had to return immediately to the port to assess the damage (Photo Vincent Curuchet)

Although forced to leave this first stage (Kiel-Portsmouth), the team studies all the possibilities to be on the exit line of the second (Portsmouth-Cartagena), scheduled for August 17 at 16: 55. There have been official protests by both Allagrande Mapei Racing and Holcim-PRB. These cases will be examined and evaluated by an international jury at a date yet to be determined. We will continue to report as soon as we have news.

The legendary solidarity of the sailors soon appeared. The Allagrande Mapei team was supported by all the other crews and the organization of The Ocean Race. After the first moment of stupor, each one resumed his role and responsibilities. With the support of TR Racing, the team was organized: Ambrogio Beccaria focused on the sports aspects, Thomas Ruyant studied different scenarios to reach Portsmouth on time, Morgan Lagrière and Manon Peyre helped the technical team to repair the candles, while the rest of the ground team worked on structural repairs. In parallel, the logistics equipment was activated to bring the necessary material for the repairs.

2025-08-11: The Ocean Race Europe: Paul Meilhat's Biotherm takes over

Paul Meilhat's Biotherm claimed the promise before the race with a firm initial domain, leading The Ocean Race Europe to the North Sea after 24 impeccable hours

From the moment the fleet left Kiel, Paul Meilhat's Biotherm has fully shown the condition of a contender attributed to it. A month of preparation in northern Europe has resulted in a precise execution in the water, placing them at the head of the IMOCA fleet while Stage 1 passes from the coastal dyeing to the first major tactical decisions.

The French team's intention was clear in the first few miles. They were the first to pass through the sharp door of the Kiel Lighthouse, adding two points and marking the tone for the first night. Since then, they have kept close but behind the French also Paprec Arkéa, pushing hard on a physically demanding coastal route.

At this point, only 40 nautical miles separate the five IMOCA in a race, with the Canadian Be Water Positive and the AMAALA Team trying to hold the head trio. The question now is whether Biotherm will be able to maintain its advantage when the narrow Danish coasts give way to the open options of the North Sea.

2025-08-10: The Ocean Race Europe exit in Kiel: collide two ships and return to port

The entire crew is safe after high-speed contact between Team Holcim PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing

Two ships have returned to Kiel after a collision immediately after the departure of the first stage of The Ocean Race Europe. Both Holcim PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing have returned to the pier in Kiel, where their ground teams work hard to assess the damage and plan the repairs. The entire crew is safe after high-speed and side contact between Team Holcim PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing.

Phil Lawrence, director of the race at The Ocean Race Europe, said: "After a collision after the departure of the first stage, Team Holcim PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing suspended the race and returned to the pier in Kiel to assess the damage and plan the next steps... at this time we understand that both teams are expected to rejoin the race and we should have more news on Monday... regarding the incident between the two ships, Team Holcim PRB has filed a formal protest against Allagrande MAPEI Racing and this matter will be dealt with by the International Jury"

From the beginning, Biotherm and Paprec Arkéa managed to position themselves slightly in the head. The images are impressive: the ships roar the surface of the water and the intensity of the battle is evident. Only a few moments later was the collision between Team Holcim PRB and Allagrande MAPEI Racing.

While these two teams were returning to Kiel to assess damage and start repairs, Biotherm led the IMOCA fleet to the sharp gate of the Kiel lighthouse, ensuring the first two points of the race, with Paprec Arkéa very close and adding a point. He also highlighted the strong exit of Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive (3rd) at the pointable gate, ahead of Team Malizia (4th) and Team Amaala (5th). Now, all proas point north. They await wind parks, currents, wind shadow areas and the passage under the Great Belt Bridge. One thing is certain: The Ocean Race Europe has only started.

Prior to the departure, the teams participated in a parade among an enthusiastic crowd at Ocean Live Park before going down to the pants for the last interviews before the exit. The conditions are expected to be intense during the first 24 hours of race, with strong winds and high speeds until they reach northern Denmark, before they are softened.