Few events in world sailing carry the historical weight that The Ocean Race does for New Zealand, and when the fleet arrives in Auckland in 2027, that connection will be measured in half a century. The race has confirmed Viaduct Harbour as its Southern Ocean stopover for the 2027 edition, with boats expected to reach the City of Sails around 20 to 21 February before departing again on 14 March. It will be the eleventh time Auckland has hosted the fleet and the first since 2018, a return that means considerably more than just another stopover on the schedule.
A media launch at Viaduct Harbour on Monday gave the local stopover team the chance to unveil the event's 50th anniversary logo, marking five decades since racing boats first pushed through the Hauraki Gulf as part of what was then the Whitbread Round the World Race. Key partnerships and event details were shared at the same occasion.
The leg that brings the fleet to Auckland will be the longest opening leg in the race's entire history, stretching more than 14,000 nautical miles from Alicante, Spain. The route takes boats out through the Mediterranean, south through the Atlantic, around Cape Horn, and across the Southern Ocean before landfall in New Zealand. Once the fleet is in port, a Coastal Race on Auckland's home waters is scheduled for 6 March, Pro-Am racing follows on 11 March, and the fleet departs on the next leg on 14 March.
The launch was held with Steinlager 2 as a backdrop, the yacht that remains one of the most potent symbols of New Zealand's place in this race. Race Chairman Richard Brisius drew on that symbolism when he addressed the occasion.
"Auckland and The Ocean Race share a bond that stretches back five decades, to the very first time the Whitbread fleet raced through the Southern Ocean before sailing into the Hauraki Gulf. The City of Sails has already welcomed the race 10 times, and every time the fleet arrives here, you feel it: this is a place that genuinely understands what offshore sailing demands, and what it means," Brisius said.
He continued: "Today is particularly special. To be here with Steinlager 2, the boat that Sir Peter Blake and his crew sailed to one of the most extraordinary clean sweeps in the history of our race, is a reminder of just how deeply our stories run together - over 50 years of iconic New Zealanders leading the way in designing, building and racing legendary boats around the world."
Skippered by Blake, Steinlager 2 won all six legs of the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race. That unbroken record of leg victories stands as one of the most complete performances in the sport's history and remains a defining passage in the race's own story.
Brisius looked ahead as well as back. "Now we are excited to see what the next chapter brings for New Zealand," he said. "The Ocean Race is the embodiment of Kiwi values: adventure, discovery, teamwork, technology, and a deep, profound connection to the ocean. We look forward to welcoming a new generation into The Ocean Race, and continuing the story together."
The 2027 edition carries significance beyond the anniversary. For the first time in the event's history, every team in the fleet will race in foiling IMOCA boats, the 60-foot high-performance monohulls capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots. The shift to an entirely foiling IMOCA fleet adds a new dimension of speed and spectacle to a race already regarded as the most demanding test in offshore sailing.
For the duration of the stopover, from 20 February to 14 March, the Viaduct Harbour will host The Ocean Live Park, a free waterfront precinct giving the public direct access to the teams, the technology, and the human stories that define life at sea. Auckland's waterfront will function as a global sailing hub throughout that period.
Central government backing has been secured through the Major Events Fund. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said: "The Government is proud to support The Ocean Race through the Major Events Fund. It's a fantastic event that combines international profile, sustained economic activity and global attention. We look forward to the race arrival in 2027 and to sharing this moment with audiences around the world."
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown was equally forthcoming about what the fleet's return means for the city. "The Ocean Race is a big part of our story as the City of Sails, and it's exactly the kind of world-class event we want more of in Auckland. It'll bring real energy to our waterfront, draw global attention, and deliver strong benefits for our economy and communities, while celebrating our connection to sailing and the ocean."
Alongside the event itself, the stopover team has named the Sir Peter Blake Trust, known as BLAKE, as the official charity partner for the New Zealand stopover. The partnership is designed to advance environmental leadership initiatives and help inspire a new generation of ocean guardians, carrying forward the legacy of advocacy that Blake built through his later years.
BLAKE Chief Executive James Gibson spoke to why the partnership makes sense. "Sir Peter Blake is an icon of The Ocean Race, and his time spent competing in the event helped inspire him to become a champion for the health of the ocean. The Ocean Race is committed to using its platform to raise awareness of critical issues such as ocean health and climate change, and as such BLAKE is proud to be the official charity partner of the Auckland stopover."
In the build-up to 2027, a three-part documentary series titled 'Hell or High Water' will also go to screen. Produced by Kevin & Co, the series is a partnership with SKY New Zealand and has the backing of NZ On Air. It follows Blake and his all-Kiwi crew through their history in the race, tracing the broader story of the event across 50 years from its Whitbread origins through to the current foiling IMOCA era.
William Thomas, Managing Director of 18k Sports, The Ocean Race New Zealand's official event delivery partner, welcomed the collaboration. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Sky New Zealand and NZ on Air to share this remarkable story and bring an extraordinary event to life, one that will connect fans with these incredible boats, the race itself, and celebrate New Zealand's proud legacy in The Ocean Race."
