The Ocean Race Atlantic fleet departs New York for France

Six international IMOCA crews have departed New York Harbor following a ceremonial start near the Statue of Liberty to begin the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic. The gender-balanced, four-person crews are currently transiting through marine mammal exclusion zones at low speed toward an official start area located approximately 150 nautical miles offshore.

The 3,000-nautical-mile transatlantic sprint to Lorient, France, is scheduled to officially begin on Wednesday, September 2, at 06:00 Eastern Time. While light winds may cause a slight delay in reaching the start area, weather forecasts suggest a fast crossing could be possible if crews successfully navigate a fast-moving low-pressure system.

This race serves as a critical performance test for teams planning to participate in the around-the-world edition of The Ocean Race starting in January 2027. Competitors include crews aboard vessels such as United by the Ocean, 11th Hour Racing, and Embrace the Challenge.