Image: Aerial shot of Paprec Arkea © polaRYSE / Eloi Stichelbaut
The French team led by Yoann Richomme commits to compete in fully crewed European race next summer
Team Paprec Arkéa will be on the starting line of The Ocean Race Europe in August 2025. The team led by skipper Yoann Richomme confirmed its shift into ‘fully-crewed’ mode following this winter’s Vendée Globe.
Richomme is no stranger to The Ocean Race, as he led his team to a win in the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe in 2021 before racing on two legs of the around the world race in 2023.
He has built an enviable record in the world of French offshore racing, including double wins in the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec (2016, 2019) and the Route du Rhum (2018, 2022), and victory in the 2024 CIC Transat among his highlight achievements.
“I’m looking forward to racing this boat with a full team next year in The Ocean Race Europe, a race I managed to win in 2021 with the Mirpuri Foundation team,” Richomme said. “It’s going to be a great race around Europe, starting in the north, racing down the Atlantic coast and into the Mediterranean.
“After the Vendée Globe it will be nice to set up a team for the The Ocean Race Europe. I’ll need to find the right people to sail on a boat that has been tailored for solo sailing so it’s going to be a good challenge and I’m really looking forward to sailing with a full crew.
“The IMOCA Class is great at the moment, with the foiling 60s that fly over the water. So it’s very intense racing. It’s very nice to have a good circuit now with the solo sailing and fully crewed events like The Ocean Race and The Ocean Race Europe, which lets us mix the two styles of sailing.”
The Ocean Race Europe is scheduled to start on 10 August in Kiel, Germany, continuing to Portsmouth, UK and then into the Mediterranean Sea with Cartagena, Spain and Genova, Italy before a final leg into the Adriatic and the finale in Boka Bay in Montenegro in mid-September.
On shore, The Ocean Race Europe will work in collaboration with the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, with a focus on promoting a new, and respectful relationship between humanity and the ocean. Through this platform, teams, sailors, host cities and race partners will spotlight the urgency for increased ocean literacy and highlight the importance of aligning science, policy, education, and advocacy efforts for the benefit of ocean health
“As sailors we have a very strong tie to the sea and to the planet which is a core value we share with our team partners,” Richomme said.
Team Paprec Arkéa is now focussed on preparations for the solo Vendée Globe starting November, with Richomme expected to be among the favourites following his transatlantic race victory earlier this year.
Team Paprec Arkéa enjoys the support of two title partners:
Founded and led by the Petithuguenin family, Paprec Group is France's leading recycling company and a major player in waste management and green energy production. With five participations in the Vendée Globe, the Paprec group is one of the major players in sailing sponsorship.
The Crédit Mutuel Arkéa cooperative group comprises the Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne and Crédit Mutuel du Sud-Ouest federations, plus some forty specialised subsidiaries (Fortuneo, Suravenir...). Crédit Mutuel Arkéa's commitment to sailing began 20 years ago. Sharing with this discipline the values of surpassing oneself and striving for performance, the group provides long-term support for complementary projects that echo these values.
About The Ocean Race
Since 1973, The Ocean Race has provided the ultimate test of a team and a human adventure like no other. For 50 years, it has kept an almost mythical hold over some of the greatest sailors and been the proving ground for the legends of our sport.
The 14th edition of The Ocean Race started from Alicante, Spain on January 15th 2023, and finished in Genova, the Grand Finale, in Italy on 1 July 2023 after visiting nine iconic cities around the globe. Led by skipper Charlie Enright, the American 11th Hour Racing Team won the race, which was contested for the first time in the flying, foiling, record-setting IMOCA boats.
The Ocean Race celebrated its 50th anniversary during 2023 and is looking ahead to The Ocean Race Europe in 2025; The Ocean Race Atlantic - New York to Barcelona in 2026; and the next edition of the around the world race, which will start from Alicante, Spain in 2027.
Sustainability in The Ocean Race
At The Ocean Race, we have a proven commitment to sustainability, and with the support and collaboration of our sailors, teams and key stakeholders, we are inspiring action and creating tangible outcomes.
Building upon our award-winning legacy in sustainability, our innovative Racing With Purpose programme is a catalyst for positive change while accelerating innovative solutions to help restore ocean health.