The Ocean Race Atlantic to feature first-ever 50/50 gender-equal crews

On board Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing © Meredith Rodgers / 11th Hour Racing

On 1st September, The Ocean Race will reach a landmark moment: for the first time in its 53-year history, every team will be required to have an equal number of men and women. The inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic is one of the few sports to introduce a 50/50 mandate, which will see each of the six IMOCA sailing teams crewed by two men and two women.

The new requirement builds on growing efforts to make the sport more inclusive and accessible. In the 2014-15 edition of the Race, 18% of competitors were female. This figure climbed to 28% in The Ocean Race 2022-23, which required each team to have at least one female competitor onboard and featured more female sailors than any previous events in the Race's 50 year history.

The new move, which puts male and female competitors on an equal footing, has been welcomed by sailors.

The first Italian woman to win The Ocean Race (2022-23) Francesca Clapcich, who will be skipper for Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing in the forthcoming race said: "This new mandate puts world-class female sailors in the most visible, high-performance context in offshore racing while also sending a message to every young sailor watching from the dock or the club that this sport has a place for them. The rules of the game are changing, and that belonging is not something you have to earn by shrinking yourself to fit in. This is a transition to a better working environment for all sailors and we hope to one day see a world where it is the norm for women and men to compete freely with no fear of discrimination for who they are in the sport we all love."

Paul Meilhat, Skipper for United by the Ocean led team Biotherm in The Ocean Race 2022-23, and exceeded the quota which required one female as part of the crew, with two men and two women sailing in three of the seven legs. He said: "The new rule is a positive step. I have been sailing alongside women for 20 years, their contribution is every bit as important as the men on the team. Having a 50/50 crew ensures there are more opportunities for female sailors to compete at this level. In the end, you want the best team possible, and different experiences, skills and ways of thinking can only make you stronger."

The forthcoming transatlantic race starts in New York City on 1st September, with teams following the Gulf Stream as they sprint to Lorient, France. A series of events in and around the two cities have been organised with support from Impact Partner 11th Hour Racing, focused on driving greater diversity, equity and inclusion.

This includes:

• Two clinics aimed at women interested in technical careers within the sailing and marine industries, hosted in partnership with The Magenta Project (Newport, Rhode Island, 24-25th August and Lorient 9th-10th September).

• A discussion about equitable leadership in sport and industry (New York City, 27th August).

• Opportunities for underrepresented communities to get out on the water and learn the fundamentals of sailing, delivered by Brooklyn Bridge Sail Club (New York City, 28-29th August) and Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly (Lorient, 12-13th September).

• An interactive morning in Brooklyn Bridge Marina (New York City, 29th August) focused on the role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth and the science behind offshore ocean racing, aimed at young women aged 8-14 from the Women's Sports Foundation, featuring actress and ocean advocate Bailey Bass.

• Screening of Women from the Sea followed by a discussion of the documentary, which celebrates the women who are shaping the future of the ocean through exploration, science, sport, conservation and leadership (Lorient, 9th September).

Rebecca White, Senior Advisor Ocean Literacy & Learning, Access & Equity at The Ocean Race said: "The ocean is for everyone, but opportunities within sailing have historically been limited. We are committed to turning the tide, creating more pathways for women and under-represented groups to be part of the sailing world, both as athletes and across the many roles that make up the wider industry".

"Hosting elite competitions, with an equal number of men and women competing on the same team, is a significant step, not just in sailing, but within sports. We hope that this inspires others to take steps towards greater equality, and that one day, rules like these will no longer be needed because equal representation has become the norm."

The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 is the first point-to-point competition in The Ocean Race's 50-year history. Supported by Impact Partner, 11th Hour Racing, the event is powered by a shared mission to drive meaningful impact for our blue planet by advancing ocean science and literacy, demonstrating sustainable event excellence, and championing equity and inclusion.