In the world of ocean racing, success is never built alone. It’s crafted through trust, precision, and the ability to turn shared values into forward motion. The IMOCA Ocean Force initiative – a bold new French-Swedish initiative aiming for The Ocean Race 2026-27 – is a testament to how the right partnerships can change the game, both on the water and in business.
At its core, Ocean Force is a mixed sailing team – but it is also a platform designed to unite innovation, equality, and environmental action through the power of performance sport. Led by world-renowned skipper Paul Meilhat, sailing with co-skipper Amélie Grassi, who together recently dominated The Ocean Race Europe, winning the event aboard Biotherm – the project combines unmatched French expertise in IMOCA racing with Sweden’s proud heritage from the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race eras. It’s a meeting of two nations shaped by the sea, and a call to international organisations to join the next chapter of ocean racing.
Reflecting on his recent victory, Meilhat shared his excitement for what comes next:
“I already want to be on the water again and to do The Ocean Race Atlantic,” he said. “It has all the things we love; a great race course and concept, great new cities in New York and Barcelona. And what I really enjoy about The Ocean Race is that you sail with many people, you learn, and you discover new things about yourself and about how to work in a team. The Ocean Race Atlantic is the next chapter.”
The Power of Partnership & the Vision
Born from a meeting during Gotland Runt between Meilhat, Roger Nilson, Antoine Mermod, Clotilde Lafont and Pelle Norberg, the idea behind IMOCA Ocean Force is to merge French offshore excellence with Swedish organizational and commercial strength. The campaign’s ambition: to represent a mixed-gender team combining international experience with emerging Swedish talent, competing in a Nordic summer tour, the Ocean Race Atlantic 2026, and the full Ocean Race 2026-27 circumnavigation. Behind the sleek carbon hull lies a deeper purpose. The project is built on four core pillars:
- Equality & Team Spirit
- Ocean Stewardship
- Innovation & Technology
- Resilience & Operational Excellence
Together, these themes form a holistic vision. One that blends high performance with human values and aims to inspire a new generation of sailors, engineers, and storytellers.
Building a successful global sailing partnership should be seen as something far more than simply placing a logo on a sail. It’s about aligning purpose with precision, connecting corporate ambition with a story that moves people. That’s exactly what Ocean Force aims to deliver. The team is inviting a select group of founding partners to co-create a campaign that represents both performance and progress, driven by the values of gender diversity, ocean preservation, and technological innovation. Each partnership is built on a give-give-take philosophy. One where both sides bring value, insight, and activation ideas to the table. From brand storytelling and internal engagement to global hospitality and purpose-driven activations, the collaboration is designed to go far beyond sponsorship.
A Shared Platform for Change
The initiative is supported by the French-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (CCFS), connecting Ocean Force with forward-thinking companies ready to amplify their sustainability, innovation, and inclusion strategies on a global stage. Each partnership offers not only visibility in one of the world’s most followed adventure sports, but also access to VIP hospitality, corporate sailing activations, and media storytelling opportunities across six continents and four oceans.
As Ocean Force’s Swedish lead Pelle Norberg explains:
“The goal isn’t to collect sponsors. It’s to build a movement of one or a few carefully selected partners who want to achieve something meaningful together.”
That sentiment defines the campaign’s communication strategy: clarity, transparency, and authenticity. From clear value propositions and transparent pricing to powerful digital storytelling, every detail is designed to build long-term trust – the same quality that defines great teams offshore.
Why Now?
The timing couldn’t be better. Sweden currently stands as one of Europe’s strongest climate-tech nations, with over 500 active cleantech companies and a combined valuation of USD 28 billion – a 4.5-fold growth since 2019. Six of these companies have already reached unicorn status. Ocean Force offers innovation-minded companies a unique arena to showcase their technologies, values, and people to the world – through a sport that embodies endurance, precision, and responsibility.
This is also a moment of transformation for offshore sailing itself. The new 50-50 crew rule in The Ocean Race Atlantic will give equal opportunities to the best female and male offshore sailors in the world – and introduce a brand-new point-to-point race format. Both are firsts for The Ocean Race, marking a major step forward for equality and evolution in the sport.
Meanwhile, sponsorship in women’s sport is growing 50 percent faster than men’s leagues. Every dollar invested in visibility can return over seven dollars in brand value. Yet research shows that many female sailing programs still receive lifestyle-driven support that highlights image over athletic performance, limiting credibility and long-term participation.
For women’s sailing to truly advance, investment must be strategically aligned, performance-oriented, and inclusive – not just deep-pocketed. The most effective partners are those who address real challenges – from gear design and safety technology to equal access and training – not only those seeking prestige. Ocean Force’s mixed-gender structure and inclusive values make it a living example of this next generation of partnership.
The Horizon Ahead
The coming months will be decisive, and the response so far is promising. While other high-performance sports like Formula 1 and the America’s Cup have become increasingly exclusive, IMOCA Ocean Force represents something very different; a more accessible, purpose-driven, and flexible platform for global brands.
In Formula 1, a single logo on a car can cost as much as an entire offshore racing sponsorship package. The grid is dominated by luxury conglomerates such as LVMH, Moët Hennessy, Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer – where access is measured in millions. Has the America’s Cup, too, evolved into what many now call a “race for the deep-pocketed,” powered by prestige partners such as Omega, Louis Vuitton, and Puig, and with teams like Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Orient Express Racing Team symbolizing this luxury-tier exclusivity?
IMOCA and offshore racing, by contrast, offer a rare mix of authenticity, accessibility, and impact. Here, partnerships are built not on excess, but on shared purpose – on real human performance, innovation, and stories that connect. From local activations along the global race course, to storytelling rooted in courage and collaboration, IMOCA Ocean Force invites brands to join a global movement that truly resonates.
Because when done right, partnerships in sailing reach far beyond the bowsprit. They bridge industries, nations, and cultures. They inspire teamwork, courage, and innovation. And they prove that the next great race isn’t only across the ocean – it’s toward a more inclusive and purposeful future.
Interested in joining the movement?
Learn more at the French-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (CCFS) or contact:
Ewa Fallenius – CCFS CEO | ewa@ccfs.se
Pelle Norberg – Ocean Force | pelle.norberg@telia.com
Clotilde Lafont – Ocean Force | clotilde.objectifglobe@gmail.com
