A fleet consisting of the top sailors in the world set off on what is considered the toughest test in our sport — @TheOceanRace. The race began today in Alicante and saw idyllic January conditions for the fleet of six one-design VO65s and five high-tech, foiling IMOCAs who are now racing to Cabo Verde, some 1900 nautical miles away. The teams are expecting gale-force westerlies overnight, with a heavy sea state making the passage to Gibraltar and the trade winds in the Atlantic a treacherous one. The IMOCAs will then continue their race around the world, while the VO65s will pause in Cabo Verde, before rejoining the IMOCA fleet in Europe in the spring for the final two legs of their race. Swipe to see our favorite photos from the start of Leg 1, and tap the link in our bio to bookmark the race tracker. #TheOceanRace #VO65 #IMOCA #sailing #offshoreracing 📸 @carlo.borlenghi / @sailingenergy / The Ocean Race