The Ocean Race brought together athletes, policymakers, scientists and environmental leaders to spotlight the power of sport as a driver of ocean action at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice on Thursday (12 June).
The session showcased how ocean racing is contributing to accelerating policy, scientific collaboration and public engagement to restore the ocean’s health.
Moderated by Richard Brisius, race chairman of The Ocean Race, the event delivered insights across science sport, and sustainability.
“We know many more Americans follow sports than they do science,” said Jeremy Pochman, co-founder and CEO of 11th Hour Racing. “We are looking for ways to use sport as a platform to bridge science and public understanding — and change the culture around caring for the ocean.”
From banning single-use plastic in events to pioneering global ocean data collection on racing yachts, the synergy between science and sailing took centre stage.
Dr Toste Tanhua of GEOMAR highlighted how The Ocean Race boats are now gathering critical CO2 data from ocean regions untouched by commercial and even research vessels — an innovation helping to close gaps in global climate science.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke at the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France on Thursday 12 June | Credit: Tiger Brisius/The Ocean Race
Olympic and America’s Cup sailing legends Peter Burling and Blair Tuke closed the event with a call to action, sharing achievements from their Live Ocean Foundation — from seabird protections to marine policy reform.
The foundation was inspired by their own participation as sailors in The Ocean Race back in 2017 and set up shortly afterwards.
“The ocean has been everything to us since we were kids in New Zealand,” Tuke said. “And I think we feel a responsibility to look after it. The Ocean Race was the catalyst for us to start Live Ocean. Being out on the water, racing between places where so few people go, you feel so immersed in nature and that sets you up to care and speak about these issues in an authentic way.”
Burling added: “The Ocean Race is very special. For me it was the first time I’d sailed across an ocean and that changes your perspective.
“I was thinking about how amazing it was to see all the nature and marine life that was so much at home in these environments and we wanted to use what we’d seen and learned to make a positive change. Ocean health issues are important and urgent and we believe we have to do what we can to help.”
Thursday’s event also celebrated the recent launch of The Ocean’s Logbook | Credit: Tiger Brisius/The Ocean Race
Thursday’s event also celebrated the recent launch of The Ocean’s Logbook, a new long-term global initiative to gather voices and measure public sentiment around ocean health issues and initiatives.
Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, presented The Ocean’s Logbook as part of the launch of the 30x30 Ocean Action Plan. The Logbook gathers personal stories from around the world, making the case to protect 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030.
Policy impact was also in focus, with Brazil’s Santa Catarina state representative Marquito sharing how his region legally recognised ocean rights, implemented more than 60 protection actions and launched community sailing programmes.
