What a race! Ocean Race Europe was short, intense, and full of learnings, the kind of sailing that keeps you on your toes from start to finish. The quick stopovers were probably one of the biggest challenges. Moving the boat, the team, and the whole operation from one side of Europe to the other, multiple times, over the course of six weeks, is no small task. But that’s also the magic of these types of races - it pushed us to adapt fast, stay sharp, and keep the energy high.

And of course, the race gave us the opportunity to see places we don’t often get to. Montenegro, for example, was a real highlight. Without the race stopping there, I’m not sure I would have had the opportunity to go. That’s one of the gifts of this sport, you discover new places and connect with people and cultures you might never cross paths with otherwise.

For me personally, this race was all about spending as much time as possible on the boat I’m now taking over. Every leg was a chance to dig deeper into how she performs and how to make her faster. We found some exciting improvements, especially in that tricky medium range of 10–13 knots of wind. It’s not necessarily the boat’s strongest condition, but we managed to close the gap on designs that are naturally better suited for it. That felt like progress.

One of the biggest gains came from the way we trimmed the sails and experimented with different angles of heel. We also steered more actively, especially when the autopilot couldn’t quite find the perfect mode. Small changes, but together they added up, and when you’re fighting for every tenth of a knot, those details really matter.

One of the best parts of Ocean Race Europe was sharing the boat with such a strong group of sailors. Will stepped into the role of dedicated navigator, and that made a big difference, especially on the more complicated legs. Boris, as always, brought his energy and deep knowledge of the boat, while Cole - who started with less experience - quickly became rock solid, especially working up at the bow.

We also had the chance to rotate in Justine and Loïs, and it was great getting to know them on the water. Each sailor brought something different, and I really believe that’s what made the squad so strong: the mix of perspectives, skills, and personalities.

Now, the shift is coming: from fully crewed to sailing double-handed which changes everything - the rhythm of life onboard, how responsibilities are shared, even how you think about pushing the boat. With just the two of us, there’s no hiding. When one rests, the other is fully in charge. Sometimes it feels almost like solo sailing, but with the reassurance that you’re not truly alone.

Will and I will take on the Transat Cafè L’OR together, and I’m looking forward to that partnership. We’ll cross over often, collaborate closely, and adapt the watch system depending on the moment. At the start of a race, it’s all hands on deck, full energy. Later, as things settle, it becomes about finding a rhythm and making sure we both get enough rest. Sleep is critical; six to seven hours in 24 is the goal, because without it, performance really suffers.

Right now, the boat is on her way back to Lorient with a delivery crew, Stu, our boat captain, Chanti (who joined Team Malizia as an intern during the race), Alberto Bona, who may be joining our team in the future, and Noemi, our project engineer who’s getting to know the boat inside and out ahead of the pre-TCO refit. That’s the beauty of this project: every person involved has a role that truly matters.

For me, the next couple of weeks are a mix of rest and preparation. I’ll head home for a few weeks to be with my daughter - moments I treasure, since time with her is always too rare. Then it’s back to Lorient for final deliveries, testing, and our last opportunities to try new solutions before the Transat. It will be the first time racing the boat under the 11th Hour Racing colors—something I’m proud of and really looking forward to.

And of course, there will be time in Le Havre with partners, sponsors, and the race organization. These connections are part of what keeps the project alive and thriving, and they remind me that this journey is bigger than just the miles we sail.

The Ocean Race Europe done! Lessons learned, shifting modes, and what’s next …

Fighting for fourth … all the way to the very end