Ulysee Nardin x 11th Hour Racing become the first US team to win the legendary Ocean Race

Zach Blass

Last week the 11th Hour Racing Team, whom watch manufacturer Ulysse Nardin have partnered with, became the first-ever US team to win the legendary Ocean Race in its 50-year history.

A seven-leg race, across nine international cities, and over a span of six months, is an incredibly challenging journey before one team can take home the first place trophy. Each leg comes with its own trials and tribulations, and the final leg was certainly trying for 11th Hour Racing. The team headed into the final leg of the race ranking first on the overall leaderboard. But just 27 minutes in, the team was forced to retire from the final leg following a no-fault collision with another team’s boat. An unfortunate turn of events, but this did not spell the end for 11th Hour’s chances for victory. Ulysse Nardin explains: “The team put in a request for redress to the World Sailing International Jury and, following the hearing this morning, Thursday, June 29, the Jury has awarded 11th Hour Racing Team 4 points of redress, which gives them 37 points and a first place on the overall race leaderboard.”

To win with a bit of an asterisk is not necessarily ideal, but after years of preparation, and enduring the six months of the Ocean Race, 11th Hour Racing is elated with the result.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” commented Skipper, Charlie Enright (USA). “This race takes everything out of you – emotionally, mentally and physically. I’m incredibly proud of our whole team who have worked tirelessly for three years to get to this point. There have been highs, some incredible highs, but also lows that have knocked us all, but they were all worth it to hear this news today. To be the first US team to be lifting this trophy is an exceptional honour, and to be sharing the message and showcasing action and innovation for ocean health has made this a truly impactful, global campaign. It’s not the way I would have drawn this up, but the victory is sweet all the same.”

The Ocean Race, while an intense sailing competition, strives for more than just distinguishing who can sail the fastest around the globe. Perhaps its even more admirable victories come from the sustainability and environmental efforts of the teams while racing. To use video game terminology, if the race itself is the core campaign, each team is tasked with crucial sustainability side missions during the six months of racing. While racing to the finish, teams like 11th Hour Racing, are required to collect important data during their voyages – making the most of these boats and the less common regions they travel through. This is all due to the Ocean Race’s “Racing with Purpose” initiative which was co-developed with 11th Hour Racing.

Ulysse Nardin Explains: “As part of this program, the Racing with Purpose initiative developed alongside 11th Hour Racing – the main partner of The Ocean Race and the founding partner of the race’s sustainability program – relies on three major projects to achieve this goal, including a scientific scheme that aims to collect and analyse essential data on the health of the water. As they chart a 60,000 km course across some of the planet’s most isolated regions, which are only rarely visited by research vessels, the teams have a unique opportunity to gather vital data and make up for a lack of information on two of the greatest threats to the health of the ocean: the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. It is thought to be the most data ever collected as part of a sporting event, and The Ocean Race is proud to be playing a key role in deepening our understanding of the marine world.”

As an American, I hope the US 11th Hour Racing Team, and even its international members, have a fantastic July 4. They have certainly earned it!

To learn more about the Ulysse Nardin Ocean Race Diver Chronograph which celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Ocean Race click here.