Paul Meilhat and Mariana Lobato launch boat for new ‘United by the Ocean’ campaign

French skipper Paul Meilhat and Portuguese co-skipper Mariana Lobato have launched the IMOCA boat they will race in The Ocean Race Atlantic (2026) and The Ocean Race around the world (2027) today in Lorient, France.

Under the team name United by the Ocean, co-skippers Meilhat and Lobato are building a campaign based on connection, openness and ocean health. The pair raced together in The Ocean Race 2023 on board Biotherm, earning a fourth place finish. In launching their boat and campaign today, they are looking for a strong result on the race course, and to make a meaningful impact off the water.

“Since the very first sailors, the ocean has been a connector, linking people, places, and cultures together,” said Meilhat, winner of The Ocean Race Europe in 2025. “In many ways, the ocean is the original social network, making trade, the exchange of cultures and ideas, and openness to the world possible,” Meilhat said.

“Today we know the ocean is much more than this. It is our greatest climate regulator, absorbing the majority of the excess heat generated by human activity, and capturing a significant portion of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. A healthy ocean keeps us in balance and is something we can all unite around as it represents our shared future.”

The launch of United by the Ocean represents a big milestone for the team as it prepares for The Ocean Race Atlantic, starting 1st September from New York to Lorient and looks ahead to the around the world race starting 17th January in Alicante, Spain.

“It’s fantastic to be back with Paul and to be preparing for these events in The Ocean Race again,” said Lobato. “Getting to the point where we can launch the campaign with confidence is a big milestone. Today we celebrate this but tomorrow we get back to work to get all the preparations in place. The best way to bring a project like this to the starting line is get started and take on the challenges one at a time.”

The Portuguese sailor added she is particularly excited about the finish of the transatlantic leg of the around the world race in 2027 being in Cascais, Portugal: “I have so many wonderful memories of competing in The Ocean Race events on home waters - both editions of The Ocean Race Europe - and now looking forward to next summer in Cascais. It will be fantastic!”

The relaunched boat carries the United by the Ocean livery and the campaign will focus on raising awareness about ocean issues and making contributions to ocean science and will see Meilhat continue his long-standing collaboration with the NGO Surfrider Foundation Europe.

“We are looking forward to working with like-minded companies and organisations that share our values in recognising a healthy ocean as a critical force for good that impacts each of us, all around the world,” Meilhat said.

The co-skippers, Paul Meilhat and Mariana Lobato will complete the crew line-up in the coming weeks.

“We will have Benjamin Ferré join us for The Ocean Race Atlantic,” Lobato confirmed. “Beyond that we are still building the team but we will be an international crew and our ambition is to sail 50/50 (two women, two men), not just in The Ocean Race Atlantic (as per race rules) but also in the around the world race in 2027.”

Following the boat launch today, the United by the Ocean team will commission the boat and start sea trials over the rest of the month before leaving on a delivery trip across the Atlantic in August ahead of The Ocean Race Atlantic start from New York City on 1st September.