In just over a week, Europe will host the toughest test in team sport and no I’m not talking about the Champions League final.
The adrenaline fuelled Ocean Race Europe will set off from Lorient, France over the last weekend in May, ushering in the start of a unique sporting story.
I am excited by the prospect of the closely fought race, exhilarated at witnessing the fastest offshore monohulls on the planet and their crews pushed to the limit, 24/7, as the race take place closer to shore than its global sibling, which returns in 2022.
But what sets this apart from other sporting properties is the stories which it generates and the action it inspires.
It’s a race built on purpose. It has overt aims to tackle an inclusive agenda. The crews on these boats are mixed, competing together. The other topic, very close to my heart, is the role the event plays in tackling climate change and plastic pollution.
Women and Men, Together
When it comes to women in sport, the picture has been rather bleak of late. The global pandemic has seen women’s sport relegated to the side-lines. The channels I follow on social media dedicated to women’s sport have sadly had very few positive news stories to report, with their focus mainly on postponed or cancelled events, while the male counterparts have long-since returned with much fanfare.
The Ocean Race Europe, however, is a rare event that we can celebrate for its integration of both women and men in its teams. And while that may come as a pleasant surprise to those of you less familiar with The Ocean Race, the reality is that this approach is one they have cultivated for a number of years. You just don’t hear them preach about it.
Yet I think it is something worth shouting about. Not only does it provide a vital, equal platform for female sailors, but it also adds to the dynamic of the teams. As a woman, it compels me to get to know these sailors, their stories, and watch this race through to the end.
Who wouldn’t be inspired watching these teams competing against each other in such a gruelling and demanding sport? In a race which is often won strategically, diversity of thought and experience can surely only be a good thing. Rather than pitting men and women against one another, as so many sports do – instead we engage with stories of men and women working together towards a common goal.
Racing with Purpose
In addition, the Europe race provides an extra platform to communicate The Ocean Race’s raison d’être: aiding our understanding of Ocean health, protecting and restoring our seas, and tackling climate change.
Rather than donating profits to environmental groups, or engaging in carbon offsetting measures, The Ocean Race has placed the cause at the heart of its operations. The European Race will see teams collect vital data about the impact that humans are having on the ocean, including measuring the level of microplastics in the water and deepening our understanding around the impact that climate change has on our seas.
This activity is endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which supports efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and create improved conditions for sustainable development of the ocean. So, while I will be watching the Champions League final on the 29th May, I will be paying closer attention to The Ocean Race Europe. I will watch the stories of human endeavour unfold throughout the race, cheer on the inspirational women and men in my chosen team, connect with their mission to change the state of our oceans for the better; and I will continue to play my small part in the change that The Ocean Race is so valiantly striving for. As someone that was lucky enough to grow up next to the ocean, which acted as a playground for my love of swimming, sailing and surfing, this change-making platform genuinely is an event with purpose that transcends sport.
Much more than just a race, it is a pioneering platform that illustrates the positive action sport can have on our world.
by Vicky Stickland, Business Director at ESA member CSM Sport & Entertainment