Ambrogio Beccaria en route to The Ocean Race Europe aboard "ALLAGRANDE MAPEI"

Fresh off announcing his ambition to take on the Vendée Globe 2028, Italian skipper Ambrogio Beccaria has taken a major step forward with the reveal of Allagrande Mapei - his newly rebranded IMOCA 60 - in Lorient, the heart of ocean sailing.

Backed by long-time partner Mapei, Beccaria is the first Italian aiming for the top in the elite IMOCA class. With a proven record - wins in the Mini Transat, Transat Jacques Vabre, and The Transat CIC - he's now set to debut his new boat in The Ocean Race Europe, launching a fresh campaign with a strong focus on performance and sustainability.

“Seeing Allagrande Mapei in our colors is a proud moment,” said Simona Giorgetta, Board Member at Mapei. “It’s the next chapter in a shared journey built on ambition, trust, and values.”

Previously raced as Vulnérable by Thomas Ruyant, the boat was designed by Antoine Koch and Finot-Conq and is known for its innovative, fine-bowed design. Beccaria, also a naval engineer, chose it for its balance of performance and seaworthiness.

“This boat breaks the mold - it’s less powerful than some new IMOCAs but far more versatile and ocean-ready,” said Beccaria. “Now we’ve got three years to make it even better, step by step.”

Despite a recent mast base failure during the **Course des Caps, the team - with help from TR Racing - carried out fast repairs and fitted a new mast in record time, allowing Allagrande Mapei to stay on track for its 2025 goals.

On Deck: The Ocean Race Europe

Beccaria will helm Allagrande Mapei in The Ocean Race Europe (August-September 2025) with a top-tier crew: Thomas Ruyant, Morgan Lagravière, Manon Peyre, and onboard reporter Pierre Bouras. Veterans Abby Ehler and Hugo Feydit will join for select legs to reinforce the lineup.

“This team already has chemistry and experience,” said Beccaria. “We’re building on that with fresh energy and clear focus.”

Science at Sea

Allagrande Mapei will be the only boat in the fleet equipped with a microplastic sampling unit, collecting data throughout the race in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano and *The Ocean Race*. The aim? To help decode the spread and source of plastic pollution across European waters.

“Science helps us understand the ocean and act to protect it,” said Bianca Bertolini, Project & Sustainability Manager. “We want to connect the data with real solutions.”

“The ocean is telling us a story,” added Stefan Raimund, Head of Science at The Ocean Race. “Together, we’re learning to listen.”