THE OCEAN RACE: what is it, when did it begin and why is everyone talking about it?

A little less than a month ago the world’s longest and toughest professional sporting event got under way, one that, together with the Olympics and the America’s Cup, is one of the most important and eagerly awaited meetings in the world of sport: the so-called “The Ocean Race”.

But what exactly is The Ocean Race? Let’s find out together.

It is a round-the-world sailing race, a true ocean marathon. For sailors it is a kind of legendary myth, the highest peak of their careers: there are many professionals who, in an attempt to win, have devoted years or even decades of their lives to it, making it, to all intents and purposes, an obsession. It is, without doubt, an extremely gruelling experience: the sailors in the race will sail around 32,000 nautical miles, crossing the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans and the difficult waters of the Southern Ocean close to Antarctica. An incomparable adventure: 24 hours a day in search of the competitive edge, of the detail that can make the difference. A continuous, exhausting race towards victory, all the way to the most extreme limit of human physical strength.

The origins

The origins of the event date back to 1973 (this year, in fact, marks its fiftieth anniversary), when it was known as the “Whitbread Round The World Race”. It was then called, until 2018, the “Volvo Ocean Race”, until it arrived at today’s name. Since 1988 it has been held every three years.

Over the years, various protagonists have distinguished themselves through their ambition, such as Sir Peter Blake, who took part in the very first edition without winning it. Not content with that, he turned up again and again until, after a race pushed to the limit, he managed to bring home the victory in the 1989-90 edition. So far, the most gripping edition has undoubtedly been that of 2017-18, with three teams racing practically on equal terms right up to the finish line. After 126 days of racing and 11 legs, Charles Caudrelier’s Dongfeng Race Team crossed the line with a margin of just 16 minutes.

The 2022-23 edition

This year’s edition also seems to be on everyone’s lips. Perhaps because, for the first time in the history of this competition, the organisers have designated the wonderful Ligurian capital as the final stop: Genoa, which, given the scale of the event, will be in the spotlight of the whole world, becoming, to all intents and purposes, for two weeks, the capital of sailing.

In the coming months, therefore, the Ligurian city will prepare to host tourists from everywhere: anticipation is sky-high for the “Grand Finale”, which will be held from 24 June to 2 July 2023. For the occasion, the Ocean Live Park will be set up in the new Waterfront di Levante, which will be the nerve centre of events and various entertainment, with numerous activities suitable for visitors of all ages.

The day after the boats arrive, visits to the race boats will be allowed and it will be possible to meet the sailors. There will also be various occasions for parties and celebrations, along with the final prize-giving ceremony.

As you will have understood, an event not to be missed. We can’t wait!