The Ocean Race 2022-23: What is the route? Which teams are involved? What are the boats? How to watch, stream
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Updated 05/01/2023 at 17:42 GMT
The Ocean Race 2022-23 is set to start in January as teams sail across the world over a six-month period bidding to finish in the fastest time. Formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race, it will start in Alicante, Spain and will go to South Africa, South America and then back to Europe. We look at everything you need to know, including the route, how to watch, and the teams involved.
'It's a magical race' - Get ready for The Ocean Race, 'another level' of sailing
The Ocean Race 2022-23, formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race, will start in January. Here’s all you need to know about the iconic race, including the route, how to watch, and how to follow the action…
What is The Ocean Race?
The Ocean Race is a yacht race which takes place around the world and was first held in 1973.
Since 1988, it has been run every three years.
The 2022-23 race will see sailors compete in either the IMOCA 60 class or the VO65 class boat. Both classes are capable of high speeds, and in the right conditions, can cover 600 nautical miles or more in 24 hours.
There are currently five teams signed up for the IMOCA 60 class and six for the VO65 class.
The Ocean Race is one of the sport’s Big Three events, alongside the Olympic Games and America’s Cup.
The winner is the team that finishes in the shortest time. The last edition of the race was the closest in history, with Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng Race Team winning by only 16 minutes after 126 days of racing spread across 11 legs.
What’s the route for The Ocean Race?
The Ocean Race 2022-23 will visit nine cities over a six-month period, starting from Alicante, Spain, on January 15, 2023.
The race will finish in Genova, Italy.
Ocean Race route:
- Leg 1: Alicante, Spain to Cabo Verde, leg start on January 15, 1,900 nautical miles
- Leg 2: Cabo Verde to Cape Town, South Africa leg start on January 25, 4,600 nautical miles
- Leg 3: Cape Town to Itajai, Brazil, leg start on February 26, 12,750 nautical miles
- Leg 4: Itajai to Newport, Rhode Island, leg start on April 23, 5,500 nautical miles
- Leg 5: Newport to Aarhus, Denmark, leg start on May 21, 3,500 nautical miles
- Leg 6: Aarhus to The Hague, Netherlands, leg start on June 8, 800 nautical miles
- Leg 7: The Hague to Genova, Italy, leg start on June 15, 2,200 nautical miles
How to watch and stream the Ocean Race
You will be able to watch live coverage from every leg of The Ocean Race 2022-23 with Eurosport and discovery+
Viewers can enjoy streaming coverage of every leg live and on-demand on discovery+ and via the Eurosport app.
How to follow The Ocean Race tracker
What are the teams competing in The Ocean Race?
The teams competing in the IMOCA 60 class are:
- 11th Hour Racing Team
- GUYOT environnement – Team Europe
- Team Malizia
- Biotherm Racing
- Holcim - PRB
The teams competing in the VO65 class are:
- Team Poland
- Team Jajo
- Team Baltic
- Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team
- Team Mexico
- Austrian Ocean Racing
What are the boats at the Ocean Race 2022-23?
The IMOCA 60 allows more customisation than the VO65, which are identical in every way, so extremely evenly matched.
With the IMOCA 60, which is 60ft long, designers can experiment with hull and sail shapes within set parameters. However, masts, booms and standing rigging are one design. It's similar to Formula 1 in that respect where there is plenty of freedom for design.
They will be competing in The Ocean Race for the first time and the fascinating design has seen introduction of foils that allow the boats to "fly” above the water.
In contract, the VO65 is a spec-class, meaning all of the boats are the same, more similar to Formula E or Extreme E - so it's more difficult to spot the differences. They are 65ft long and compete in the European legs of the event - so Leg 1, Leg 6 and Leg 7 of The Ocean Race.
The IMOCA is raced by mixed-sex crews of four or five sailors, while the VO65 is raced by mixed-sex crews of at least seven sailors.
'Live, engaging, immersive, and entertaining'
Scott Young, senior vice president, Content and Production, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe: “The story of The Ocean Race will be live, engaging, immersive, and entertaining.
"We see a great opportunity in our partnership around production to elevate its recognised world-class live coverage alongside new formats that unearth the stories, people and relationships that are at the heart of this epic race.
"By striving for greater storytelling around the event, we can help audiences better understand the race and everything that goes into competing in the greatest round-the-world sailing challenge.”
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