The Ocean Race, the iconic fully-crewed offshore sailing competition, adds a thrilling new chapter to its storied history with a transatlantic leg departing from St. Pete–Clearwater, Florida, and finishing in Cascais, Portugal, as part of the 15th edition of the race in 2027. This marks the first time in the event’s 54-year history that Florida’s Gulf Coast will serve as a race departure port.

The race will be based at St. Petersburg Yacht Club along the downtown waterfront from May 4–16, 2027, bringing the world’s top offshore sailors and cutting-edge IMOCA racing yachts to Tampa Bay. The event is also supported by the University of South Florida (USF). During the stopover, the IMOCA fleet will be berthed along the waterfront by USF, highlighting the strong connection between elite sailing competition and ocean research.

This historic stopover will showcase St. Petersburg’s world-class waterfront, St. Petersburg Yacht Club’s sailing heritage, and vibrant maritime community to a global audience. We look forward to sharing more about this exciting moment in sailing history.

St. Petersburg Yacht Club was founded in 1909 by a small group of local sailors who shared a passion for boating and recognized the potential of Tampa Bay as a sailing destination. At the time, the young city of St. Petersburg had only a few thousand residents. The history of yachting at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club is inseparable from the story of the city itself. From its earliest days, the club has been a gathering place for sailors who recognized the unique sailing conditions of Tampa Bay and sought to build a community around boating, racing and waterfront fellowship.

Competitive sailing soon became a defining part of the club’s identity. In 1919, the club acquired six Fish Class sailboats, establishing one-design racing and creating a culture of organized competition that continues today.

The waters of Tampa Bay proved ideal for regattas, and sailors from around the region began to visit St. Petersburg to compete. Many one-design classes would return year after year, building traditions that have endured for generations. SPYC’s reputation grew even further with the introduction of offshore racing. In 1930, the club launched the Havana Race, sending sailors across the Gulf Stream to Cuba. The event was among the early offshore races that helped inspire what later became the Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC). These races drew sailors from across the United States and abroad, placing the St. Petersburg Yacht Club firmly on the international sailing map.

Over time, the club developed a reputation for excellent race management, hosting regattas nearly year-round and attracting sailors from across the country. SPYC members became known not only for their sailing ability but also for their dedication to organizing and running world-class events. Regattas at SPYC have long been praised for their professionalism, organization, and welcoming atmosphere.

More than a century later, the club continues to host prestigious regattas, train young sailors, and bring together a community united by a shared love of the water. We are extremely excited and proud to announce that The Ocean Race’s North American stopover for 2027 will be coming to St. Petersburg.