Team Malizia Secures Victory in Genova as Final Ocean Race Standings Await Redress Decision

Team Malizia crossed the finish line in Genova, Italy on Tuesday morning to claim victory, aided by a light, favorable breeze that allowed them to sail confidently into the harbor ahead of their rivals. The triumph marked a high point for the crew after a long and demanding global campaign.

“I’m very happy and very proud of this team,” said Malizia skipper Boris Herrman. “It’s been a privilege to work with all of them. We have the most sailors who completed the full race and Rosie is the only female to do the whole lap of the planet.” Herrman’s words underlined both the competitive achievement and the strong sense of teamwork that carried Malizia through a challenging race series.

Shortly after Malizia’s finish, the wind gradually died down, leaving the remaining boats to a slow and tactical contest for the remaining podium positions. In that reduced breeze, Biotherm prevailed to claim second place, while Holcim-PRB completed the podium in third. The nighttime and light-wind conditions tested crews’ patience and strategy, turning the final miles into a careful, low-speed duel where small decisions had outsized consequences.

The result, however, does not yet represent the definitive overall classification for the 2023 Ocean Race. Two IMOCA-class contenders—11th Hour Racing and GUYOT Environment—were forced to retire following a collision at the start line during the race’s earlier leg in The Hague. According to the teams’ public statements, GUYOT Environment acknowledged responsibility for the incident that led to both boats withdrawing from competition.

That collision and the subsequent retirements have left the final standings unresolved while teams await the outcome of a formal redress request. Redress proceedings are intended to address situations where a competitor’s result has been significantly affected by circumstances beyond their control, including collisions or other incidents. The redress decision will determine whether any adjustment to finishing positions or points is warranted, and it will directly influence the ultimate ranking of the series.

The implications are particularly significant for the American team, 11th Hour Racing, which currently sits one point behind Holcim-PRB in the provisional standings. If the redress panel awards a one-point or larger adjustment in favor of 11th Hour Racing, that decision would hand them the overall victory. Until the redress is decided, teams, supporters and officials must wait to see how the official results will be finalized.

For Team Malizia and their supporters, the on-water accomplishment stands as a testament to consistent performance across a punishing global circuit. Completing the full race roster with a large group of sailors demonstrates depth and resilience, while Rosie’s completion of the entire circumnavigation as the only female sailor to do so highlights individual determination and the increasing diversity in ocean racing teams.

While the final podium and series champion remain pending the outcome of the redress process, the Genoa finish delivered a memorable conclusion to the on-water action for many teams and fans. The light breeze that favored Malizia on the final stretch provided a fitting, if delicate, capstone to an event defined by tactical seamanship, endurance and teamwork. All eyes now turn to the adjudication of the redress request, which will decide whether the provisional standings become official or require adjustment before the season is closed out.