It was a nail-biting finish to the opening leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 as Team Malizia surged past Paprec Arkéa in the final hours to secure a hard-fought second place. After more than three days of intense racing from Kiel to Portsmouth, the German-flagged IMOCA crossed the finish line at 11:45pm local time on 14 August — just under two hours behind winners Biotherm and a narrow ten minutes ahead of third-placed Paprec Arkéa.
Leg 1 had seen Malizia consistently in the mix with the leading pack, matching pace with some of the fastest boats in the fleet. But the real drama came on the last morning, as the team executed a perfectly timed move to overhaul Paprec Arkéa. The pass happened just after sunrise, with both boats locked in a tense match race along the English coast. The easing wind and shifting current created tricky conditions, but skipper Boris Herrmann and his crew held their nerve, keeping Paprec Arkéa astern through the narrowing gap to the finish at Portsmouth’s Ocean Live Park.
For Malizia, this result is more than just a strong start — it’s a statement of intent. Securing six points from the leg puts them in second overall on the leaderboard, giving the team early momentum for the remaining stages of the three-leg European tour. It also reflects the strength of their tactical calls, boat handling, and resilience under pressure.
Biotherm, skippered by Paul Meilhat, had dominated the leg from start to finish, never relinquishing their lead after the Kiel departure. Malizia’s late charge may not have challenged the French boat for the win, but it ensured the podium fight remained alive until the very end. Paprec Arkéa, despite delivering a strong and consistent performance, will be disappointed to have lost a point so close to the line.
The 1,000+ nautical mile route from Kiel to Portsmouth offered a mix of conditions — from fast reaching legs in the Baltic to more tactical, tide-affected racing in the English Channel. For Malizia, the ability to adapt to these changes was key, with the crew making the most of every sail change and wind shift to stay competitive.
Looking ahead, Team Malizia will aim to build on this performance in Leg 2, which promises another mix of coastal and offshore challenges. If their Leg 1 finish is any indication, they’ll be a team to watch — especially when the racing tightens and split-second decisions make the difference.
In a race that celebrates endurance, skill, and strategy, Malizia’s Leg 1 result stands as a reminder that persistence pays off. One decisive move at the right moment can change the leaderboard — and they’ve just proved they know how to make it happen.
