Latest news with #IMOCA60
Straits Times
a day ago
- Science
- Straits Times
Racing sailors to double as ocean scientists in European waters
Racing sailors to double as ocean scientists in European waters Every yacht in this summer's Ocean Race Europe will double as a floating laboratory, gathering vital ocean data as crews battle their way between seven iconic European ports, organisers say. The fleet will gather measurements on water temperature, salinity, oxygen, CO2 levels, microplastics and environmental DNA during the offshore competition from August 10 to September 20. Some teams will deploy drifter buoys designed to transmit meteorological information for years afterward. "We know conditions in our ocean are changing rapidly but scientists need more data to better understand what is happening, the pace of change and how this impacts ocean health," said Lucy Hunt, Ocean Impact Director of The Ocean Race and a marine biologist. "Due to the vastness of the ocean, reliable data is very sparse, and there are many areas that are undersampled." The race begins in Kiel, Germany and visits Portsmouth, Porto, Cartagena, Nice, Genova, and Montenegro's Boka Bay. Organisers report that the 2023 around-the-world race generated more than 4 million data points for researchers. "By putting different configurations of The Ocean Race Science Instruments on different race boats we can broaden the scope of the data we collect," said Stefan Raimund, Scientific Advisor to The Ocean Race. The Ocean Race Europe is a multi-stage offshore sailing competition organised by the same group behind the round-the-world Ocean Race. It features top-tier IMOCA 60 and VO65 yachts crewed by mixed-gender teams. The IMOCA 60 and VO65 are elite ocean racing yachts at the heart of major offshore events. The 60-foot IMOCA is a foiling, carbon-fibre monohull designed for solo or short-handed races, while the 65-foot VO65 is a one-design yacht used in fully crewed races like The Ocean Race. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Sailing-Racing sailors to double as ocean scientists in European waters
(Reuters) -Every yacht in this summer's Ocean Race Europe will double as a floating laboratory, gathering vital ocean data as crews battle their way between seven iconic European ports, organisers say. The fleet will gather measurements on water temperature, salinity, oxygen, CO2 levels, microplastics and environmental DNA during the offshore competition from August 10 to September 20. Some teams will deploy drifter buoys designed to transmit meteorological information for years afterward. "We know conditions in our ocean are changing rapidly but scientists need more data to better understand what is happening, the pace of change and how this impacts ocean health," said Lucy Hunt, Ocean Impact Director of The Ocean Race and a marine biologist. "Due to the vastness of the ocean, reliable data is very sparse, and there are many areas that are undersampled." The race begins in Kiel, Germany and visits Portsmouth, Porto, Cartagena, Nice, Genova, and Montenegro's Boka Bay. Organisers report that the 2023 around-the-world race generated more than 4 million data points for researchers. "By putting different configurations of The Ocean Race Science Instruments on different race boats we can broaden the scope of the data we collect," said Stefan Raimund, Scientific Advisor to The Ocean Race. The Ocean Race Europe is a multi-stage offshore sailing competition organised by the same group behind the round-the-world Ocean Race. It features top-tier IMOCA 60 and VO65 yachts crewed by mixed-gender teams. The IMOCA 60 and VO65 are elite ocean racing yachts at the heart of major offshore events. The 60-foot IMOCA is a foiling, carbon-fibre monohull designed for solo or short-handed races, while the 65-foot VO65 is a one-design yacht used in fully crewed races like The Ocean Race.
The Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Sailing-Flying boats, double points and a lightning pit stop set stage for Portuguese Ocean Race thriller
(Reuters) -Flying boats, double points and a three-hour pit stop will bring high-octane sailing drama to Portugal this August as Matosinhos-Porto secured a coveted spot on The Ocean Race Europe route – with ocean health activism sharing the spotlight alongside sporting glory. The Portuguese coastal destination will host a "Fly-By" on Aug. 20 during the second leg from Portsmouth to Cartagena, it was announced on Wednesday, with the high-tech foiling IMOCA boats making a brief three-hour stop at Porto Cruise Terminal before continuing their journey to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. The Fly-By represents a critical sporting juncture, awarding half the points for the double-scoring second leg. "It's very special to know that The Ocean Race Europe is stopping in Matosinhos because I know I will feel the warmth of Portugal and the Portuguese people in this extreme and hard competition," said Mariana Lobato, the only female Portuguese sailor who competed in the last round-the-world race and who will now be racing with Team Paprec Arkea. The announcement, made during an event at Porto Cruise Terminal, highlighted how the race will spotlight ocean health initiatives alongside the sporting spectacle. "Few competitions can claim to connect Europe more completely than The Ocean Race Europe," said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman. "This is a race that truly connects our continent, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and into the Adriatic Sea." The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will start from Kiel, Germany on Aug. 10, with stops in Portsmouth, Matosinhos-Porto, Cartagena, Nice, and Genoa before finishing at Boka Bay, Montenegro. The race, launched in 2021, has swiftly become a marquee event on the offshore sailing calendar, delivering elite competition across Europe's iconic ports. Designed as a shorter, continental counterpart to the legendary round-the-world Ocean Race, it features cutting-edge IMOCA 60 and VO65 class yachts with mixed-gender crews tackling a blend of offshore legs and coastal sprints. The IMOCA 60 is a cutting-edge 60-foot (18-metre) yacht known for its speed and ability to "fly" above the water using foils, while the VO65 is a 65-foot (20-metre) one-design conventional monohull boat built for strength, speed and close competition. The inaugural edition saw Portugal's Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team clinch victory in the VO65 class, while Offshore Team Germany triumphed in the IMOCA 60 category. Beyond the fierce racing, the event underscores a commitment to environmental advocacy, leveraging its platform to champion ocean health and sustainability initiatives across the continent. (Editing by Toby Davis)
Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Flying boats, double points and a lightning pit stop set stage for Portuguese Ocean Race thriller
Flying boats, double points and a three-hour pit stop will bring high-octane sailing drama to Portugal this August as Matosinhos-Porto secured a coveted spot on The Ocean Race Europe route – with ocean health activism sharing the spotlight alongside sporting glory. The Portuguese coastal destination will host a "Fly-By" on Aug. 20 during the second leg from Portsmouth to Cartagena, it was announced on Wednesday, with the high-tech foiling IMOCA boats making a brief three-hour stop at Porto Cruise Terminal before continuing their journey to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. The Fly-By represents a critical sporting juncture, awarding half the points for the double-scoring second leg. "It's very special to know that The Ocean Race Europe is stopping in Matosinhos because I know I will feel the warmth of Portugal and the Portuguese people in this extreme and hard competition," said Mariana Lobato, the only female Portuguese sailor who competed in the last round-the-world race and who will now be racing with Team Paprec Arkea. The announcement, made during an event at Porto Cruise Terminal, highlighted how the race will spotlight ocean health initiatives alongside the sporting spectacle. "Few competitions can claim to connect Europe more completely than The Ocean Race Europe," said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman. "This is a race that truly connects our continent, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and into the Adriatic Sea." The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will start from Kiel, Germany on Aug. 10, with stops in Portsmouth, Matosinhos-Porto, Cartagena, Nice, and Genoa before finishing at Boka Bay, Montenegro. The race, launched in 2021, has swiftly become a marquee event on the offshore sailing calendar, delivering elite competition across Europe's iconic ports. Designed as a shorter, continental counterpart to the legendary round-the-world Ocean Race, it features cutting-edge IMOCA 60 and VO65 class yachts with mixed-gender crews tackling a blend of offshore legs and coastal sprints. The IMOCA 60 is a cutting-edge 60-foot (18-metre) yacht known for its speed and ability to "fly" above the water using foils, while the VO65 is a 65-foot (20-metre) one-design conventional monohull boat built for strength, speed and close competition. The inaugural edition saw Portugal's Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team clinch victory in the VO65 class, while Offshore Team Germany triumphed in the IMOCA 60 category. Beyond the fierce racing, the event underscores a commitment to environmental advocacy, leveraging its platform to champion ocean health and sustainability initiatives across the continent. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Flying boats, double points and a lightning pit stop set stage for Portuguese Ocean Race thriller
Summary Matosinhos-Porto hosts critical Fly-By during Ocean Race Europe Race highlights ocean health initiatives alongside competition Event features cutting-edge IMOCA 60 and VO65 yachts April 23 (Reuters) - Flying boats, double points and a three-hour pit stop will bring high-octane sailing drama to Portugal this August as Matosinhos-Porto secured a coveted spot on The Ocean Race Europe route – with ocean health activism sharing the spotlight alongside sporting glory. The Portuguese coastal destination will host a "Fly-By" on Aug. 20 during the second leg from Portsmouth to Cartagena, it was announced on Wednesday, with the high-tech foiling IMOCA boats making a brief three-hour stop at Porto Cruise Terminal before continuing their journey to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. The Fly-By represents a critical sporting juncture, awarding half the points for the double-scoring second leg. "It's very special to know that The Ocean Race Europe is stopping in Matosinhos because I know I will feel the warmth of Portugal and the Portuguese people in this extreme and hard competition," said Mariana Lobato, the only female Portuguese sailor who competed in the last round-the-world race and who will now be racing with Team Paprec Arkea. The announcement, made during an event at Porto Cruise Terminal, highlighted how the race will spotlight ocean health initiatives alongside the sporting spectacle. "Few competitions can claim to connect Europe more completely than The Ocean Race Europe," said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman. "This is a race that truly connects our continent, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, and into the Adriatic Sea." The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will start from Kiel, Germany on Aug. 10, with stops in Portsmouth, Matosinhos-Porto, Cartagena, Nice, and Genoa before finishing at Boka Bay, Montenegro. The race, launched in 2021, has swiftly become a marquee event on the offshore sailing calendar, delivering elite competition across Europe's iconic ports. Designed as a shorter, continental counterpart to the legendary round-the-world Ocean Race, it features cutting-edge IMOCA 60 and VO65 class yachts with mixed-gender crews tackling a blend of offshore legs and coastal sprints. The IMOCA 60 is a cutting-edge 60-foot (18-metre) yacht known for its speed and ability to "fly" above the water using foils, while the VO65 is a 65-foot (20-metre) one-design conventional monohull boat built for strength, speed and close competition. The inaugural edition saw Portugal's Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team clinch victory in the VO65 class, while Offshore Team Germany triumphed in the IMOCA 60 category. Beyond the fierce racing, the event underscores a commitment to environmental advocacy, leveraging its platform to champion ocean health and sustainability initiatives across the continent.
