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Get on board as we revisit AkzoNobel Ocean Racing’s exhilarating podium finish in The Ocean Race Europe 2021
Powered by our International brand, the AkzoNobel boat was one of seven VO65s that sailed from Lorient in France to Genoa in Italy, with stops in Cascais, Portugal, and Alicante, Spain, along the way. Our products were used on all areas of the vessel.
A brief timeline charting how the race unfolded
May 25, 2021
Before the race started, AkzoNobel was one of three teams to have scientific instruments fitted on board to measure levels of microplastics in the seas during the race.
May 29, 2021
The Ocean Race Europe kicked off, with skipper Chris Nicholson and the AkzoNobel Ocean Racing crew hoping for a fast start from Lorient. First port of call would be Cascais in Portugal. It was great to see the VO65 back in action!
May 31, 2021
A promising start for the AkzoNobel team. They were in second place as the fleet headed towards Cascais in Portugal, although with around 800nm to go, there was still lots of racing ahead.
June 2, 2021
A great finish to leg one of The Ocean Race Europe, although slightly disappointing in the end for AkzoNobel Ocean Racing, who took fifth place. However, they were less than three minutes behind the eventual winners. A great effort by the team.
June 5, 2021
The first of the coastal races took place in Cascais and AkzoNobel Ocean Racing powered home in second place. That lifted the team to third place in the overall table. No time to relax though, because the second leg to Alicante in Spain started the following day.
June 9, 2021
A great performance over the three days to Alicante resulted in an impressive second place finish for AkzoNobel Ocean Racing in leg two of The Ocean Race Europe. It put them second overall, but level on points with leaders the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team.
June 13, 2021
With light winds expected, the crews set off on what would be a thrilling but tense final leg to Genoa. The AkzoNobel Ocean Racing team made a good start, but there was drama ahead.
June 17, 2021
A nerve-wracking end to the final leg of The Ocean Race Europe saw the AkzoNobel Ocean Racing team finish a brilliant second. Often windless conditions meant that tactical ingenuity made all the difference. At this stage, the team was second overall, just a point behind the leaders. It would all be decided by the forthcoming coastal race.
June 19, 2021
The AkzoNobel team had restart the coastal race after being called over early at the start gun, which left them with too much to do, and they eventually finished fourth. That left them third in the overall table (albeit level on points with second). But still a well-deserved podium finish for a fantastic team performance from Chris Nicholson and the entire crew.
