Alicante Gathers The Ocean Race’s International Elite for Pre-Start Stakeholders Conference Ahead of January 2027 Launch

Alicante, the global headquarters and Starting Port of The Ocean Race, today hosted the race's exclusive International Stakeholders Conference. This strategic meeting once again places Alicante and the Valencian Community at the very center of the global sailing calendar.
The two-day conference brings together host city representatives, official partners, teams, and some of the world's elite sailors. The forum aims to share strategic insights, present new concepts, unlock commercial opportunities, and advance activations for the upcoming edition of the race, ultimately reinforcing collaboration across The Ocean Race’s entire international ecosystem.
Notable attendees include representatives from all the host cities that will welcome the fleet after it sets sail from Alicante: Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brazil), St. Pete-Clearwater (Florida, USA), Cascais (Portugal), and AMAALA (Red Sea). Official partners and leading global brands - including Volvo Cars, Red Sea Global, Helly Hansen, 11th Hour Racing, OmniAccess, and GAC - are also participating alongside the teams and sailors competing in the next edition.
Hosting this international summit also offers a unique opportunity to showcase Alicante and the Valencian Community to visitors from across the globe, highlighting its maritime heritage, rich culture, capacity for innovation, and renowned hospitality.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, the program will continue with various working groups and on-water activities designed to strengthen the bonds within The Ocean Race’s extended international family, blending strategic work with memorable experiences on the Mediterranean.
During the opening of the conference, Eduardo Pascual, Regional Secretary for Innovation of the Valencian Government, emphasized:
“This is the spirit that unites us: sailing together toward a more sustainable and innovative future. At the Valencian Government, we believe that true innovation is not merely technological, but must also be social and environmental. Few projects in the world combine sporting excellence, marine science, and positive transformation quite like The Ocean Race. We are absolutely committed to making the 2027 edition unforgettable.”
For his part, the Mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala, highlighted the historic nature of the upcoming edition:
“This edition of The Ocean Race is going to be incredibly special for Alicante as the Starting Port for the longest leg ever contested in the history of the race: Alicante to Auckland, on the exact opposite side of the planet. It is an ultimate, high-stakes challenge for the teams and crews—a global feat that will have the eyes of the world watching.”
Mayor Barcala also invited the international attendees to discover the city and its surroundings:
“I invite you to take advantage of this visit to discover Alicante and our beaches - the finest in the Mediterranean. Explore our rich local gastronomy, featuring more than 300 types of traditional rice dishes, as well as our museums and monuments. You can take in spectacular views of the bay from the Santa Bárbara Castle fortress, wander the historic streets of the old Medina surrounding it, or simply enjoy some shopping in our traditional city center and walk along La Explanada - one of the most photographed promenades in Spain, with its beautiful mosaic floor that mirrors the waves of the sea.”
The mayor went on to highlight the massive international impact the next edition of the regatta will deliver:
“The Ocean Race presents a historic edition where Alicante and the Valencian Community will take center stage as the Starting Port of a competition with staggering figures: 1.65 million visitors, 8,000 jobs created, a €467 million direct impact on GDP, 60,000 national and international press articles, 1 billion viewers, and an estimated media value of €200 million. This firmly consolidates Alicante as one of the great international capitals of sailing. It is an honor for Alicante to share these numbers with the other key cities participating in this magnificent race.”
He added:
“Alicante is already setting its sails to catch the best winds to carry us toward that January when we will host the start of The Ocean Race—an adventure of extreme endurance. Cutting-edge technology and the most innovative boats will be deployed to tackle the most demanding edition in history. You couldn't ask for more.”
He concluded by saying:
“I urge you all to come out and enjoy the greatest sailboat race in the world. We look forward to welcoming you!”

Richard Brisius, President of The Ocean Race, noted:
“These two days have three clear objectives: to learn, to connect, and to begin collaborating through real action. For me, The Ocean Race is deeply personal. I started at 21 years old as a crew member, later managed teams, and ultimately ended up leading the race itself and our mission, Racing for the Ocean. I tried to walk away from it several times over the last 35 years, but I never could. I believe that tackling this race is one of the most intense experiences imaginable - the wind, the waves, and the teamwork. And within that simplicity, you learn the most valuable lessons about resilience, solidarity, and how to achieve something extraordinary together.”
During his address, Paul Meilhat, skipper of the French Paul Meilhat Sailing Team and winner of the last edition of The Ocean Race Europe, summed up the intensity of the build-up to the start:
“These projects are like an iceberg, and the actual racing is just the tip of it. The Ocean Race gets into your blood; it is a monumental human challenge. I think you have chosen an excellent slogan: United by the ocean.”
Meanwhile, via a live broadcast link, Dutch sailor Rosalin Kuiper stated:
“From a competitor's point of view, it is incredible to be out there. It’s pure passion, excitement, adventure, and teamwork. Building the boat and the campaign together, every single team member is an equally vital link in the chain. It’s addictive.”
The conference was also attended by Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi of the DMG MORI Sailing Team, Alan Roura, and Will Harris - co-skipper of Team Malizia and holder of the Roaring 40s Trophy, the race's most legendary award presented to the fastest boat between the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.
The upcoming start of The Ocean Race from Alicante in January 2027 will mark a new milestone in offshore racing history, serving as the launchpad for the longest leg ever contested: Alicante to Auckland. This epic, 14,000-nautical-mile journey to the antipodes of the planet will push the teams to face one of the ultimate sporting and technological challenges in ocean racing.