Welcome to Europe Express. All summer long, we’ll be following the IMOCA fleet, stage by stage, at the heart of The Ocean Race Europe. First stop: Kiel, Germany. This is where the race kicked off its opening leg… and where the show began.

All week, we’ve been following German skipper Boris Herrmann, a true sailing star in his home country. Everywhere he goes, crowds gather: a hero’s welcome worthy of a champion. But the story doesn’t end there. In the shadow of the German star, a new figure is emerging: Ambrogio Beccaria. The Italian skipper, newly arrived in the IMOCA class, is discovering this demanding world for the very first time. Between rapid adaptation, surging adrenaline, and those first sensations at sea, we’ve shared some unique moments by his side.

And then, yesterday… the big moment. Seven teams, seven IMOCA boats, a cheering crowd, and a start under a wave of applause. But behind this picture-perfect scene came a twist: a collision just minutes after the start. The outcome? Allagrande MAPEI Racing and Team Holcim-PRB were forced to return to port.

The adventure is only just beginning…

🎥 polaRYSE
Start footage: The Ocean Race