The Ocean Race Unveils St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida as New Destination for 2027
The Ocean Race has officially announced its exciting new U.S. destination for 2027, marking a historic first with a stopover in St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida. This renowned offshore sailing race, celebrated for its fully-crewed teams, is set to kick off this thrilling chapter with a spectacular event in May 2027. The race will feature a remarkable transatlantic leg that will cover approximately 4,500 nautical miles, leading participants from the shores of Florida to the scenic coast of Cascais, Portugal.
As part of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race, this upcoming leg is set to connect two globally celebrated sailing locations. The St. Pete-Clearwater stopover will occur from May 4 to May 16, 2027, at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, located right by the waterfront in downtown. Expect the race village, named Ocean Live Park, to become a hub of activity, drawing visitors from across the globe. This effort is in collaboration with the University of South Florida (USF), which boasts one of the leading marine science programs in the country.
The significance of The Ocean Race for St. Pete-Clearwater extends beyond merely being a stop on the map. According to Rob Britts, the Stopover Director for St. Pete-Clearwater, this event aligns perfectly with the locale's tradition of ocean racing and commitment to marine science, sustainability, and tourism. The involvement of the community in these initiatives is something he is particularly excited about, expressing hope for the long-term benefits this event will bring.
St. Pete-Clearwater is no stranger to sailing history and continues to grow its participation in competitive sailing events. The region is noted for its stunning natural beauty, which includes 35 miles of award-winning white sand beaches, a vibrant culinary scene recognized by the Michelin Guide, and a lively arts and entertainment district topped off by the iconic Dalí Museum.
Steve Grimes, CMO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, stated that the selection of their location as a North American stopover is an honor, emphasizing the significance of such prestigious events in showcasing the area’s beauty. He stressed the opportunity visitors will have to enjoy the unique experiences available in St. Pete-Clearwater, ensuring that memories will be made during this event.
The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, a beloved institution in Florida's sailing culture for over a century, is thrilled to host this major international event. Commodore Christian Bergstrom remarked on how this mirrors the legacy of the club and its contribution to the sailing community.
The Ocean Race is not only a celebration of sailing but also a movement that champions ocean protected initiatives. Through collaborative work with scientists, educators, and policymakers, this initiative emphasizes the importance of ocean literacy and protection. Tom Frazer, Dean of the USF College of Marine Science, highlighted this very fit as the university partners with The Ocean Race to promote advancements in ocean science and education, which will be on display throughout the event.
Following the thrilling stopover, teams will set sail on an adventurous 4,500-nautical-mile journey to Cascais, which lies just west of Lisbon, Portugal. This coastal town, a premier sailing destination in Europe, will welcome the fleet in late May before racing resumes in early June.
Originally starting on January 17, 2027, from Alicante, Spain, The Ocean Race will encapsulate a monumental journey as it heads toward a 14,000-nautical-mile leg to Auckland, New Zealand. The race will loop back to South America through Itajaí, Brazil, ultimately making its way to the U.S. and introducing the exciting transatlantic segment from St. Pete-Clearwater to Cascais. This edition of The Ocean Race is set to conclude with a historic sprint down the Red Sea to AMAALA, signifying the first time competitors have raced in these waters.
As anticipation builds for this spectacular event, both sailing enthusiasts and the local community in St. Pete-Clearwater look forward to the memories and legacies that The Ocean Race will create in 2027.
As part of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race, this upcoming leg is set to connect two globally celebrated sailing locations. The St. Pete-Clearwater stopover will occur from May 4 to May 16, 2027, at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, located right by the waterfront in downtown. Expect the race village, named Ocean Live Park, to become a hub of activity, drawing visitors from across the globe. This effort is in collaboration with the University of South Florida (USF), which boasts one of the leading marine science programs in the country.
The significance of The Ocean Race for St. Pete-Clearwater extends beyond merely being a stop on the map. According to Rob Britts, the Stopover Director for St. Pete-Clearwater, this event aligns perfectly with the locale's tradition of ocean racing and commitment to marine science, sustainability, and tourism. The involvement of the community in these initiatives is something he is particularly excited about, expressing hope for the long-term benefits this event will bring.
St. Pete-Clearwater is no stranger to sailing history and continues to grow its participation in competitive sailing events. The region is noted for its stunning natural beauty, which includes 35 miles of award-winning white sand beaches, a vibrant culinary scene recognized by the Michelin Guide, and a lively arts and entertainment district topped off by the iconic Dalí Museum.
Steve Grimes, CMO of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, stated that the selection of their location as a North American stopover is an honor, emphasizing the significance of such prestigious events in showcasing the area’s beauty. He stressed the opportunity visitors will have to enjoy the unique experiences available in St. Pete-Clearwater, ensuring that memories will be made during this event.
The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, a beloved institution in Florida's sailing culture for over a century, is thrilled to host this major international event. Commodore Christian Bergstrom remarked on how this mirrors the legacy of the club and its contribution to the sailing community.
The Ocean Race is not only a celebration of sailing but also a movement that champions ocean protected initiatives. Through collaborative work with scientists, educators, and policymakers, this initiative emphasizes the importance of ocean literacy and protection. Tom Frazer, Dean of the USF College of Marine Science, highlighted this very fit as the university partners with The Ocean Race to promote advancements in ocean science and education, which will be on display throughout the event.
Following the thrilling stopover, teams will set sail on an adventurous 4,500-nautical-mile journey to Cascais, which lies just west of Lisbon, Portugal. This coastal town, a premier sailing destination in Europe, will welcome the fleet in late May before racing resumes in early June.
Originally starting on January 17, 2027, from Alicante, Spain, The Ocean Race will encapsulate a monumental journey as it heads toward a 14,000-nautical-mile leg to Auckland, New Zealand. The race will loop back to South America through Itajaí, Brazil, ultimately making its way to the U.S. and introducing the exciting transatlantic segment from St. Pete-Clearwater to Cascais. This edition of The Ocean Race is set to conclude with a historic sprint down the Red Sea to AMAALA, signifying the first time competitors have raced in these waters.
As anticipation builds for this spectacular event, both sailing enthusiasts and the local community in St. Pete-Clearwater look forward to the memories and legacies that The Ocean Race will create in 2027.
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