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Malizia-Seaexplorer on the attack for second leg

  • 17 August 2025
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Four days after their first leg podium finish, Malizia-Seaexplorer is back out at sea for the second leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, the longest stretch of the course. Ahead lies 1,400 nautical miles from Portsmouth to Cartagena (Spain), via a mandatory stopover in Porto (Portugal). With double points being awarded on arrival and an intermediate ranking during the fly-by, every mile will count towards the endgame title.

Will Harris in command

For this leg, Englishman Will Harris takes on role of skipper, supported by Justine Mettraux (navigator), Francesca Clapcich, Loïs Berrehar and onboard reporter Flore Hartout. Boris Herrmann and Cole Brauer, who were on board for the first leg, handed over the reins as planned. For Will Harris: “Leaving the Solent is always very special, it’s home. It’s a very famous starting point and I discovered The Ocean Race here when it was the Volvo Ocean Race. I came with my parents in 2005 to see the skippers. Now, 20 years later I am skipper on one of these amazing boats. It gives me the goosebumps!”, he confided at the start, especially as it was on these waters that he shone in the recent Admiral’s Cup alongside Pierre Casiraghi, Yacht Club de Monaco’s vice-president and founder of Team Malizia.

Tactical start

In a 10-14 knot wind, Malizia-Seaexplorer opted for a cautious start before quickly moving up the fleet to the front behind Biotherm. The exit from the Solent under spinnaker in a strong current made for a lively and already tactic-critical start to the race.
The days ahead look to be challenging, with uncertain transitions in the Bay of Biscay, strong winds off Portugal and unpredictable conditions in the Mediterranean.

Onboard science

True to its environmental commitments, the crew on Malizia-Seaexplorer continue to collect oceanographic data with their OceanPack system (CO₂, temperature, salinity). An experimental scientific buoy will also be deployed in the Bay of Biscay to measure ocean currents.

Arrival expected 23 August

The fleet is expected in Cartagena around 23 August after six days of racing. Between strategy, managing fatigue and changeable weather, this second leg could be key to success in the final ranking of The Ocean Race Europe 2025.
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