The historic stop in Nice marks the first time an event under the banner of The Ocean Race will visit the Mediterranean coast of France and offers a unique opportunity for the French offshore sailing community to engage with a new audience.

France is a foundational base for so many of the IMOCA sailors and teams, where traditionally the focus has been on the Atlantic coast, so this is an exciting time for us to showcase the sailors, teams and the sport in one of the iconic waterfront venues in the country. 

At the announcement, Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice, and Président de la Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, Président délégué de la Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur said: “As the City of Nice has just launched its Year of the Sea and is preparing to host the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in June, I am very pleased to welcome, for the first time, The Ocean Race Europe - a sailing race that highlights team spirit, connects European cities, and collects valuable scientific data for researchers. This Nice stopover will offer the public a spectacular show and provide participants with the enchanting setting of our Baie des Anges. With The Ocean Race Europe, Nice reaffirms its ability to host major events and its commitment to promoting all initiatives aimed at sustainably preserving our ocean.”

The race stopover follows UNOC 3 (the United Nations Ocean Conference) which will be in Nice in June and is focussed on accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean and where The Ocean Race and its partners will participate and host a side event. 

The Ocean Race Europe stopover in Nice will build on the momentum from UNOC to protect and restore ocean health with its award-winning Racing with Purpose programme built around ocean literacy and learning, ocean science, and advocacy.