The Ocean Race, a fully crewed offshore sailing race, added a transatlantic leg departing from St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida and arriving in Cascais, Portugal. The 2027 race marks the 15th edition of the event and the first time in the event’s 54-year history that the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast serves as a race port.
The St. Pete/Clearwater stopover is scheduled for May 4–16, 2027, with the Ocean Live Park race village based at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club along the downtown waterfront and in partnership with the University of South Florida.
“The Ocean Race embodies much of what our community already represents: a deep tradition of ocean racing and a strong commitment to ocean science, sustainability, marine innovation, STEM education, and tourism,” said Rob Britts, the stopover director for St. Pete-Clearwater. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome this event and the global spotlight it brings, but we’re even more excited about the lasting legacy it can create for our community for years to come.”
The Ocean Race will depart Alicante, Spain, on Jan. 17, 2027, sending the foiling IMOCA fleet on the longest opening leg in race history — a 14,000 nautical mile passage to Auckland, New Zealand. The route then goes to South America via Itajaí, Brazil, before heading north to the United States. The race then ends in the Red Sea to AMAALA.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the North American destination on this prestigious race that encompasses some of the globe’s most iconic coastal communities. Activities on and along our emerald waters are a quintessential experience for our 15+ million annual visitors and locals alike,” said Steve Grimes, chief marketing officer for Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. “Everyone can expect a memorable stop-over experience for The Ocean Race, which becomes a fantastic addition to our portfolio of major festivals and sporting events that give visitors a chance to experience our unique combination of 35 miles of award-winning white sand beaches, active waterfront and the urban oasis that St. Pete-Clearwater has to offer.”
Image by The Ocean Race.
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