Kiel, August 9, 2025 - Ambrogio Beccaria is setting sail at 3:45 PM on Sunday, August 10, for the second edition of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, at the helm of his new boat "Allagrande Mapei." This multi-stage, crewed race will mark the absolute debut of the new IMOCA 60, which for the first time will compete under the colors of its main sponsor, Mapei. To tackle the competition, Beccaria has chosen to rely on a solid and close-knit crew, consisting of Thomas Ruyant, Morgan Lagravière, Manon Peyre, and Pierre Bouras (onboard reporter), with Abby Ehler and Hugo Feydit joining for the third and fifth legs, respectively.
First Leg: Kiel - Portsmouth
The opening leg will cover 850 nautical miles and take the fleet to Portsmouth, England: "I am really excited about this European Ocean Race," says Ambrogio. "I like the idea of a race that unites various countries in Europe. Passing from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, which is somewhat my sea, where I grew up, is a great emotion. And I can't wait to make a stopover in Genoa, the city where I trained and where my previous Class40 project was born."
"At the moment, I'm torn between shore-side tension and the desire to set off. We've also been through a complicated situation as the boat was in the shipyard until the very last minute due to the mast incident, and we didn't have time to train. This means we're a bit disadvantaged compared to the other teams, but I'm also very confident because I've seen what we've been capable of. We are strong and we will fight until the end!"
A Special Guest Onboard
Accompanying the Allagrande Mapei team will be a special guest, Rachele Fogar, acting as a "jumper." The guest will join the team during the dock out from the port and remain with them until the starting line, then jump into the water to be picked up by a support tender.
Born in 1991, Rachele is a model, influencer, and non-professional sailor. She was born to a Hungarian mother, Katalin Szijarto, and an Italian father, the renowned sailor, explorer, and writer Ambrogio Fogar, from whom she inherited her passion for travel and adventure.
"I enthusiastically accepted the invitation to board Ambrogio Beccaria's boat," says Rachele Fogar, "for the first leg of the Ocean Race Europe because I believe there are experiences capable of igniting something within us: a spark, a challenge, a symbol. Sailing is this for me: freedom, courage, total immersion in nature and within one's limits. Being onboard, even if only for a few moments before departure, is an honor and a privilege. Ambrogio is a rare example of gentle determination, pure talent, and clear vision. I have admired him for a long time: for his ability to combine technical skill and humanity, for the way he approaches the sea: with respect, audacity, and depth. He is one of those athletes who manage to convey something beyond competition. Boarding his boat is like entering his world, made of wind, silences, and courageous choices. The Ocean Race Europe is a collective and symbolic adventure: it speaks of Europe, sustainability, and borders crossed with the wind. Participating, even for a short stretch, is a great emotion. In a way, the act of throwing myself into the sea and letting the boat set off towards the open water is a powerful metaphor: letting go, trusting, believing in the journey. And in those who undertake it."
Sailing, but also Observing
During The Ocean Race Europe, the Mapei Sport Research Centre, which combines scientific research and multidisciplinary support to optimize athlete performance, will accompany skipper Beccaria with an innovative physiological and biomechanical monitoring program, aimed at studying the effects of ocean sailing on the human body.
Already a long-standing partner of Ambrogio for athletic preparation, sports medical and nutritional assistance, the Mapei Sport Research Centre staff will conduct a study on the effect of an offshore race on anthropometric, physiological, and cognitive variables, testing Ambrogio and 7 other professional sailors some days before the start of the competition, during an intermediate leg, and at the end of the race.
The following measurements will be collected, in addition to questionnaires regarding perceived effort, sleep quality, and stress:
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weight and body composition analysis
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heart rate variability
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Handgrip test to measure maximum isometric strength of hand and forearm muscles
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maximum isometric strength test for the shoulder
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explosive strength test of the lower body (CMJ)
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Isometric Mid Thigh Pull (IMTP) test to evaluate maximum isometric strength, maximal voluntary muscle contraction
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knee extensors and voluntary activation
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Psychomotor Vigilance Test 3’ (PVT-3) to assess sustained attention and cognitive performance
"Through this scientific investigation, it will be possible to contribute to the growth of the discipline, in line with the applied scientific research mission that has led Mapei Sport to publish over 150 scientific papers to date and to collaborate with universities and research institutes worldwide," explains Ermanno Rampinini, operational director of the Varese-based center, a scientific excellence that provides assistance to athletes to help them improve their performance through tests and training programs.
The Crew
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Thomas Ruyant (FRA): co-skipper for the season, historical skipper of the boat, winner of the Route du Rhum 2022 and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 and 2023.
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Morgan Lagravière (FRA): performance manager, participant in the Vendée Globe 2016-2017, winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 and 2023, expert in fine-tuning.
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Manon Peyre (FRA): from dinghy sailing (49er FX), represents the generational shift. Appreciated for her precision at the helm and adaptability.
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Pierre Bouras (Onboard reporter, FRA): onboard reporter, photographer and videographer, will document this sporting and human adventure from within.
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Abby Ehler (GB): British sailor, four circumnavigations to her credit, a prominent figure for equality in sailing. Present for the 3rd leg.
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Hugo Feydit (FRA): experienced technician and sailor, specialist in onboard electronics, will participate in the 5th leg.
The start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will be broadcast live on Eurosport and streamed on Discovery+.
"Onboard TV show" every Thursday and Friday at 8:00 PM on Eurosport and streaming on Discovery+ with The Ocean Race Europe teams.
