St. Pete-Clearwater to Host Ocean Race 2027's Sole U.S. Stop

St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida, is officially the sole U.S. stopover for The Ocean Race 2027. The race kicks off on January 17, 2027, featuring an astonishing 14,000 nautical mile first leg from Alicante, Spain, to Auckland, New Zealand. This leg is the longest in the race's 54-year history, challenging even the most seasoned sailors. Richard Brisius, TOC's Race Chairman, emphasizes the extreme nature of this edition, stating, "This is offshore racing at its most extreme and most thrilling." After Auckland, the fleet navigates through the Southern Ocean, rounding Cape Horn and heading to Itajai, Brazil. The St. Pete-Clearwater stop is scheduled for May 4-16, 2027, marking the first visit to Florida’s West Coast. Spectators can look forward to viewing the high-speed foiling IMOCA 60s and engaging with ocean-focused exhibits during the event.