Monaco Yacht Club’s Team Malizia were the first to arrive in Genoa as The Ocean Race reached its conclusion in Italy on Tuesday.

An adventure that began in Alicante, Spain in January has finally come to an end. After months of intense sailing around the globe, Team Malizia finished third in the general classification, but ended the epic voyage on a high thanks to victory in the Italian port city.

It is Team Malizia’s second victory, and it was earned thanks to some smart thinking from the Monegasque team. Skipper Boris Herrmann and his crew took the Malizia-Seaexplorer closer to the shore early on Tuesday morning, and the gentle coastal breeze blew them to victory.

Victors to be decided by a jury

The manoeuvre allowed them to overtake Team Holcim-PRB and Biotherm. The former won the overall race – for now – pipping 11th Hour Racing, whose final stage was cut short due to a collision with GUYOT Environment – Team Europe. The latter assumed responsibility for the incident, which put an end to both teams’ race from The Hague to Italy.

As a result of the collision, the winners of The Ocean Race are yet to be decided. Due to their third-place finish, Team Holcim-PRB are currently one place ahead of second-place 11th Hour Racing. A Request for Redress has been submitted by the latter, which will be considered by the World Sailing International Jury on Thursday. Any redress of one point or more will hand the title to 11th Hour Racing.

However, the day belonged to Team Malizia, who after months of sailing, can revel in their incredible feat. As Herrmann pointed out, Rosie Kuiper was the only female to do a whole lap of the planet.

“I still can’t believe it. We have done a lap around the world, pushing ourselves day in and day out, and to finish like this is so special. It’s been a crazy adventure and we had such a good time,” she said.

The Malizia-Seaexplorer will return home on Wednesday, stopping over at the Yacht Club de Monaco, where the crew are certain to receive a heroes’ welcome.

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Photo source: Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race