As The Ocean Race Atlantic prepares to launch from Brooklyn Bridge Marina, Team Malizia is savoring the calm before the storm — complete with dolphin escorts and coffee on deck as they gear up for one of ocean racing’s most anticipated events.
The scene captured by filmmaker Alice Callow paints a picture of serenity that belies the intensity to come. Dolphins gliding alongside the hull and crew members nursing their morning coffees on deck offer a rare moment of tranquility for a team that has become synonymous with pushing the limits of offshore sailing.
A New Chapter for The Ocean Race
The Ocean Race Atlantic represents a thrilling addition to the global ocean racing calendar, with Brooklyn Bridge Marina serving as a striking departure point against the iconic New York City skyline. The choice of venue underscores the race organizers’ continued ambition to bring elite offshore sailing to major urban waterfronts, connecting the sport with wider audiences while providing competitors with world-class infrastructure.
For sailors accustomed to remote start lines and industrial marinas, launching from the heart of Brooklyn adds a layer of spectacle that few ocean races can match. The marina, nestled beneath the Brooklyn Bridge with sweeping views of Lower Manhattan, provides a dramatic backdrop as teams complete their final preparations before heading into the open Atlantic.
Team Malizia: A Force in Ocean Racing
Team Malizia has established itself as one of the most formidable campaigns in modern ocean racing. The German-registered team, led by Boris Herrmann, burst into mainstream consciousness through a combination of elite sailing performance and a deeply held commitment to ocean science and sustainability. Their partnership with the Malizia Ocean Challenge initiative has seen onboard sensors collecting critical oceanographic data during races, turning competitive sailing into a platform for climate research.
Herrmann and his crew proved their mettle during The Ocean Race 2022-23, where they competed aboard their IMOCA 60 across some of the most demanding ocean passages on the planet. The team’s ability to balance competitive ambition with their scientific mission has earned them widespread respect both within the sailing community and beyond.
The Atlantic Challenge Ahead
Transatlantic passages have long held a revered place in the history of offshore sailing. The Atlantic crossing demands a unique blend of strategic acuity and seamanship, with crews navigating complex weather systems, the Gulf Stream’s unpredictable currents, and the psychological challenge of extended time at sea. For Team Malizia, the race will test both their boat preparation and their tactical decision-making as they seek optimal routing across one of the world’s most storied ocean passages.
The conditions at Brooklyn Bridge Marina may be calm for now, but the Atlantic rarely stays hospitable for long. Crews competing in the race will need to contend with everything from light-air ridges that can stall progress for hours to powerful low-pressure systems capable of generating dangerous seas.
Dolphins as a Good Omen
For sailors, dolphin encounters are often considered a sign of good fortune. The marine mammals are frequent companions on offshore passages, riding bow waves and putting on acrobatic displays that momentarily distract crews from the physical demands of racing. For a team as committed to ocean health as Malizia, the presence of dolphins in New York Harbor serves as a poignant reminder of why they race — and why protecting marine ecosystems matters.
As the fleet finalizes preparations and the countdown to the start continues, all eyes will be on Brooklyn Bridge Marina. For Team Malizia, the dolphin escorts and quiet moments on deck represent the last breath of calm before the Atlantic demands everything they have to give.
