Paul Meilhat’s United by the Ocean won the first edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic on 10 September 2026, beating Francesca Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing by 8 minutes 56 seconds in Lorient. After nearly eight days of racing from New York, the result came down to a close duel along the French coast.

A crossing decided in the final miles

The Atlantic had delivered rough seas and boat speeds above 30 knots. Near Lorient, the leaders faced a different test: flat water, roughly 10 knots of wind and small changes in pressure that could decide the race.

DMG MORI Global One, led by Kojiro Shiraishi, had held the lead for the previous 48 hours. A more southerly approach brought 11th Hour Racing to the front on the morning of 10 September. United by the Ocean then passed the Japanese boat too, setting up a prolonged contest between Meilhat and Clapcich.

As their routes converged over the last 10 nautical miles towards the line north of Île de Groix, United by the Ocean’s position farther north proved decisive. The French team established a lead of around one nautical mile and held it to the finish, completing the course in 7 days, 23 hours, 39 minutes and 11 seconds.

United by the Ocean under sail off Lorient.
United by the Ocean under sail off Lorient. © Vincent Curutchet / The Ocean Race

A second major success for Meilhat’s boat

Meilhat had won The Ocean Race Europe in 2025 with the same yacht, then named Biotherm. He explained that difficult waves had exposed some of the boat’s limitations during this crossing, but that its speed in lighter winds and flat water remained a strength. The crew’s familiarity with the boat helped turn those final conditions into a winning opportunity.

For Clapcich, second place brought both disappointment at missing victory so narrowly and satisfaction with the crew’s comeback. After about 3,000 nautical miles, the rivals were close enough to race by watching each other directly rather than relying only on performance data.

11th Hour Racing approaches Lorient as spectators watch from shore.
11th Hour Racing approaches Lorient as spectators watch from shore. © Jean-Louis Carli / The Ocean Race

DMG MORI holds off Malizia for third

DMG MORI Global One secured the last podium place, 22 minutes 29 seconds behind the winner. Team Malizia finished exactly five minutes later, leaving the first four teams separated by less than half an hour.

Samantha Davies described the crossing as valuable preparation for DMG MORI’s planned round-the-world campaign in 2027. Sustained pressure and difficult sea conditions tested both the boat and communication within its international crew.

The DMG MORI Global One crew celebrates third place.
The DMG MORI Global One crew celebrates third place. © Vincent Curutchet / The Ocean Race

Malizia’s recovery was particularly notable because a fault in the port foil’s rake-control system had hampered the team from mid-Atlantic. Cole Brauer described the frustration of returning to podium contention after a substantial deficit, only to lose out near the finish. The crew had improvised a repair and kept pushing despite fatigue and rough conditions.

Team Malizia’s crew after completing the crossing.
Team Malizia’s crew after completing the crossing. © Vincent Curutchet / The Ocean Race

The first four finishers on 10 September

Place Team Gap to winner
1 United by the Ocean —
2 Team Francesca Clapcich powered by 11th Hour Racing +8 min 56 s
3 DMG MORI Global One +22 min 29 s
4 Team Malizia +27 min 29 s

Embrace the Challenge and MSIG Europe were still racing when the winner’s bulletin was issued. The fleet’s final classification is covered in our report on MSIG Europe’s finish and the conclusion of the race.

For the build-up to this close finish, read our 500-mile race bulletin from 9 September.

Source: The Ocean Race press release of 10 September 2026. The Ocean Race Atlantic.

Cover photo: © Vincent Curutchet / The Ocean Race.