Team Biotherm have set the tone for The Ocean Race Europe 2025, storming into Portsmouth this morning to claim a decisive win in Leg 1 from Kiel. Paul Meilhat’s crew were in command from the moment the starting gun fired, never surrendering their lead during three days, 19 hours, one minute and 30 seconds of intense offshore racing.
Crossing the line at 09:48:30 UTC, Biotherm banked maximum points — two from the scoring gate in Kiel and seven for the leg win — to top the leaderboard with nine. For Meilhat, it was the perfect start to a demanding series.
“It was full-on from the first night,” he said dockside. “We managed to hold our pace, keep the boat in one piece, and stay ahead. That’s all you can ask for.”
Behind them, the fight for second is still a thriller. Team Malizia pulled off a crucial gybe in the final miles to edge past Paprec Arkéa, with the two boats now locked in a tactical battle right to the finish. The French outfit’s slip in the dying stages cost them valuable points but set the stage for an intense rivalry in the races to come.
For the Portsmouth crowds, the sight of Biotherm charging up the Solent under grey skies was a powerful reminder of why The Ocean Race Europe has become such a compelling fixture. This year’s edition is more than a contest of speed — it’s a test of consistency, navigation, and endurance across some of Europe’s most challenging coastal waters.
With Leg 2 looming, the challenge for Biotherm will be to defend their advantage against hungry rivals. For now, they leave Portsmouth not only with the leader’s flag but with the confidence that comes from proving they can control a leg from start to finish.
Team Malizia takes second in thrilling Leg 1 finish at The Ocean Race Europe 2025
