Montenegro's Milivoj Dukic announced official ambassador for the finale of The Ocean Race Europe
by The Ocean Race 3 Sep 18:11 BST
Milivoj DUKIC, Laser Olympic Sailor from Montenegro, visiting Ocean Live Park during Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe in Genova, Italy on September 03 © Jean-Louis Carli / The Ocean Race Europe 2025
The Ocean Race today announced the appointment of Montenegrin Olympic sailor Milivoj Dukic as Official Ambassador for The Finale of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, set to take place in the Adriatic jewel of Boka Bay (15-21 September).
A four-time Olympian and national icon, Dukic is Montenegro's most decorated sailor and one of the world's top ILCA 7 competitors. Currently ranked World No. 5 in the World Sailing ILCA 7 rankings (May 2025), his appointment reflects both his exceptional sporting achievements on the water and his ongoing commitment to advancing the sport of sailing in Montenegro and beyond.
The announcement took place as the Italian city of Genova gets ready to welcome The Ocean Race Europe 2025 IMOCA fleet on their way from Nice, France, during Leg 4 of the European race. Dukic is present on site to share his insights with the teams as to what they can expect when they set sail to Boka Bay on Sunday.
Dukic represented Montenegro at four consecutive Olympic Games: London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, where he earned a career-best 14th place finish. In Paris, he also had the honour of serving as Montenegro's Flag Bearer during the opening ceremony, consolidating his status as a national sporting figure.
Born in 1993 in the coastal town of Herceg Novi, which is near the finish line of the final offshore leg of The Ocean Race Europe in a couple of weeks, Dukic began his sailing journey at the famed Jugole Grakalic Sailing Club, nestled on the historic waterfront of Škver.
For more than two decades, he has carved a path marked by dedication, resilience, and excellence. His international results span World Cup Series, Sailing Grand Slam events, European and World Championships establishing him as a consistent player in elite-level sailing.
Beyond competition, Dukic plays a key role in shaping the future of sport in Montenegro as the Chair of the Athletes' Commission of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, advocating for athletes at the highest national level. In 2024, he was named Montenegro's Best Athlete by the Olympic Committee.
As official Ambassador for The Finale of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, Dukic will champion the Race's values of sustainability, ocean advocacy, and youth engagement, while promoting Montenegro's deep-rooted maritime culture.
"It is an incredible honour to represent Montenegro as Ambassador for The Ocean Race Europe," said Dukic. "This race is more than a competition: it's a movement that connects people, helps protect our ocean, and inspires the next generation. I look forward to welcoming the sailing world to our shores and showing them the spirit of Boka Bay, a stunning part of the Adriatic."
The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will culminate in a dramatic Finale hosted in Porto Montenegro, marking the first time the Race has visited the country and brought racing to the Adriatic Sea. With its rich nautical history and strategic position on the Mediterranean, Montenegro offers a compelling stage for the closing chapter of the Race.
"Milivoj Dukic embodies the essence of The Ocean Race—passion, perseverance, and purpose," said Richard Brisius, Race Chairman at The Ocean Race." "We are thrilled to welcome him as an Ambassador and look forward to working together to engage communities and elevate the impact of the Race in the region."
The Ocean Race Europe, a 4,500-nautical mile, six-week competition started with a testing opening leg from Kiel to Portsmouth, in the UK. From there, racing continued to Cartagena, Spain (via the Porto/Matosinhos Fly By); Nice, France; and Genova, Italy; before the dash into the Adriatic and a closing coastal race in Boka Bay, Montenegro on 20 September.
The event also serves as a platform for driving positive change for the ocean through The Ocean Race's award-winning Racing for the Ocean sustainability programme.
Television coverage of The Ocean Race Europe is available through media partner Warner Bros. Discovery on their platforms around Europe.