A human story
Help develop an Indian athlete’s pathway. Build a campaign around preparation, skill, resilience and the people behind the ambition.
SAILING INDIA / A GLOBAL AMBITIONThe Ocean Race.
The Ocean Race.
India’s next
chapter.
A place for Indian talent on the world stage. A platform for brands with ambition. A vision to bring the race back to India.
2027 SAILOR & BRAND OPPORTUNITIES2030 INDIAN STOPOVER CONCEPT
AROUND THE WORLD. AS A TEAM.Ocean racing.
Ocean racing.
Human endeavour.
Since 1973.
One of sailing’s great round-the-world challenges, The Ocean Race combines offshore competition with teamwork, technology and extraordinary endurance.
First sailed in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race, and later known as the Volvo Ocean Race, it has evolved into a global sporting and ocean-health platform. The 2027 edition will be raced by fully crewed IMOCA yachts — high-performance, foiling monohulls.
For India, it offers a way to connect sporting talent, maritime identity, international business and the future of the ocean.
Explore the official race ↗THE ANNOUNCED 2027 ROUTESix destinations.
Six destinations.
One global story.
The 15th edition starts from Alicante on 17 January 2027, with the Grand Finale at AMAALA in July. India is not on the announced 2027 route.
- 01 / SPAIN
Alicante
8–17 January
Grand Start · Race starts 17 January - 02 / NEW ZEALAND
Auckland
20 February–14 March
After the 14,000-nautical-mile opening leg - 03 / BRAZIL
Itajaí
31 March–18 April
Following the Southern Ocean and Cape Horn - 04 / UNITED STATES
St. Pete–Clearwater
4–16 May
Florida’s Gulf Coast - 05 / PORTUGAL
Cascais
26 May–6 June
Atlantic Europe - 06 / SAUDI ARABIA
AMAALA
1–5 July
Grand Finale · Red Sea
2027 / INDIA ON THE WORLD STAGEAn Indian sailor.
An Indian sailor.
An international platform.
We are exploring a pathway for an Indian athlete to join a participating team, alongside a brand-supported campaign that brings the story to audiences in India and beyond.
FOR ATHLETES & THEIR SUPPORTERSBuild the pathway
Build the pathway
to an ocean-racing team.
Sailing India welcomes expressions of interest from experienced Indian sailors, coaches and supporters. We can help explore team introductions, preparation needs and a funding and communications strategy.
A credible campaign starts with the right athlete, the right team and a realistic preparation programme.
Discuss athlete participation ↗Exploratory opportunity. No crew place is confirmed. Selection, eligibility, training, funding and any participation are subject to the team’s and race organiser’s approval.
FOR BRANDS / DIFFERENT SCALES OF INVOLVEMENTChoose the scale.
Choose the scale.
Give it a clear purpose.
From a focused athlete story to a wider international campaign, we help define the right scope, partnerships and communications.
These are suggested collaboration directions, not official sponsorship packages. Naming, branding, hospitality, media access and other rights depend on availability and separate agreements with the relevant rights holders.
Request a tailored partnership conversation ↗2030 / A SAILING INDIA VISIONWhat if the next
What if the next
chapter were India?
A race village on an Indian waterfront. Ocean-racing teams arriving from the open sea. A meeting point for sport, business, science and a new generation of sailors.
EXPLORATORY CONCEPT · NOT AN ANNOUNCED STOPOVERPOSSIBLE LOCATIONS TO EXPLORE
Illustrative locations · select a city below
2030A new Indian
A new Indian
stopover.
The Ocean Race has announced Porto as the planned start port for its 2030 round-the-world edition. We want to explore whether an Indian destination could become part of that future story.
Mumbai
A potential metropolitan setting for business engagement, a public race village and a celebration of India’s maritime identity.
These locations are suggestions for discussion, not shortlisted or approved venues. A host project would need organiser agreement, port and government support, suitable infrastructure, funding and technical assessment.
Explore a host-city conversation ↗INDIA ALREADY HAS A CHAPTER.
Kochi hosted the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008–09. Our ambition is a return to India — potentially opening a new host-city chapter — rather than a first-ever Indian visit.
Read the race archive ↗PLACES WITH A STORY TO TELLEstablished waterfronts.
Established waterfronts.
New destinations.
The race’s host network spans long-established sailing centres and emerging coastal destinations. Each can bring its own identity to the experience.
A new Red Sea chapter.
AMAALA, a developing sport and wellness destination in Saudi Arabia, will host the 2027 Grand Finale — the race’s first finish in the Red Sea. It shows how an emerging destination can connect its story with international sailing and ocean health.
Discover AMAALA ↗
A historic waterfront.
A new audience.
Nice welcomed The Ocean Race Europe in 2025, connecting its Mediterranean waterfront with offshore sailing and ocean science. This was the European race, separate from the 2027 round-the-world route.
THE ROUTES BEFORE USA changing route.
A changing route.
A lasting legacy.
Every edition connects a different set of shores. Previous routes show how the race evolves while retaining its round-the-world identity.
Alicante → Cabo Verde → Cape Town → Itajaí → Newport → Aarhus → Kiel fly-by → The Hague → Genova.
Explore the previous world route ↗The Volvo Ocean Race stopped in Kochi as part of a route that brought the event to India, Singapore and China.
Explore India’s race history ↗RACING FOR THE OCEAN
Beyond the finish line.
The race’s environmental work brings ocean science, education and advocacy into the same conversation as elite sport.
The Ocean Race Summits
The Summits convene scientists, sailors, policymakers, business, young people and ocean advocates to address ocean protection. They take place during races and between editions.
Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race, is an active voice in this work. At the Genova Summit in January 2026, he discussed the race’s role in ocean science, advocacy and innovation.
For a future Indian initiative, ocean literacy, coastal stewardship and a dialogue with science and industry could become part of the legacy — alongside the sporting event.
Explore the Summits and ocean programme ↗Any Summit or official environmental programme in India would require a separate agreement with The Ocean Race.
START A CONVERSATIONHow could you
How could you
be part of it?
Tell us whether you represent an athlete, a brand, a destination or an institution. We will discuss the possible formats, requirements and next steps with you.
YOUR CONTACT AT SAILING INDIAKatya Antoni
Founder · Strategy, partnerships & communications
hello@katyaantoni.comIndia · +91 90713 33737WhatsApp · +351 910 363 037This page presents Sailing India’s independent initiative. It does not announce an official team entry, sponsorship agreement or Indian host-city appointment. The Ocean Race and team names belong to their respective owners. Photos show previous editions; they do not imply endorsement.
Official sources & information status
- The Ocean Race 2027: route, dates and race background
- Porto partnership and planned 2030 start
- AMAALA Grand Finale
- Nice: The Ocean Race Europe 2025
- 2022–23 route archive
- Race archive: Kochi in 2008–09
- The Ocean Race Summits
- Richard Brisius at Summit Genova 2026
Official information checked 17 October 2026. Indian sailor participation and the Indian stopover are exploratory Sailing India proposals.