Biotherm wins Ocean Race Europe Leg 1 as Malizia takes second

The Ocean Race Europe’s opening leg concluded in Portsmouth with Biotherm taking a commanding win, a bold inshore gamble by Team Malizia delivering a late second place, and Paprec Arkéa close behind in third. The leg, run from Kiel to Portsmouth over 850 nautical miles, featured difficult upwind conditions, a dramatic start collision that sidelined two boats, and a race course extension that stretched the finish by about 60 nautical miles. Leg 2 will start on Sunday, August 17, with a 1,400-nautical-mile voyage to Cartagena, Spain, including a flyby stop in Matosinhos-Porto, Portugal.

Biotherm’s dominant performance established early tempo off Kiel and held through the North Sea and the English Channel. The French-crew boat, skippered by Paul Meilhat, led from the start and showcased strong upwind speed that allowed it to extend a lead once Denmark’s coast was behind them. After a last-minute extension to Bembridge Ledge, Biotherm crossed the Portsmouth finish line at 09:50 UTC, earning maximum points for Leg 1. “This was the perfect leg for us,” Meilhat said, acknowledging that the longer leg ahead would present a tougher challenge, particularly in offshore conditions.