The Ocean Race returns to Alicante

In the 2022-23 race, sailors will compete in the IMOCA 60 class or the VO65 class. Both classes of racing sailboats are capable of reaching high speeds and, under the right conditions, can cover 600 nautical miles or even more in 24 hours. Currently, there are five teams registered for the IMOCA 60 class and six for the VO65 class. The Ocean Race is one of the three major events in the world of sports, alongside the Olympic Games and the America's Cup.

The winner is the team that records the shortest time. The Ocean Race 2022-23 will visit nine cities over a period of six months, starting in Alicante on January 15, 2023. The race will end in Genoa, Italy.

This is the route that the Ocean Race will follow:

• Stage 1: Alicante to Cape Verde, stage start on January 15, 1,900 nautical miles.
• Stage 2: Cape Verde to Cape Town (South Africa), stage start on January 25, 4,600 nautical miles.
• Stage 3: Cape Town to Itajaí (Brazil), stage start on February 26, 12,750 nautical miles.
• Stage 4: Itajaí to Newport (Rhode Island), stage start on April 23, 5,500 nautical miles.
• Stage 5: Newport to Aarhus (Denmark), stage start on May 21, 3,500 nautical miles.
• Stage 6: Aarhus to The Hague (Netherlands), stage start on June 8, 800 nautical miles.
• Stage 7: The Hague to Genoa (Italy), stage start on June 15, 2,200 nautical miles.

The IMOCA 60 allows for a higher level of customization than the VO65, a category where all boats are identical in every way, making the teams extremely evenly matched. In the IMOCA 60 category, designers can experiment with hull and sail shapes within established parameters. However, masts, foils, and standing rigging are standardized. In the IMOCA category, mixed crews of four or five sailors compete, while in the VO65 category, mixed crews of at least seven sailors compete.

The greatest adventure of this century is about to begin, are you going to miss it? With Todobarco.com, get closer to the sea.