What Is 11th Hour Racing

Overview

11th Hour Racing is a professional offshore sailing team dedicated not only to winning major international races but also to advancing ocean health and sustainability. Founded in 2018 by Brian Hennessy, a former U.S. Olympic sailor, and Rob Drysdale, a British sailing veteran and sustainability advocate, the team was established with a dual mission: elite athletic performance and environmental stewardship. The name '11th Hour' reflects the urgency of addressing climate change and marine degradation—underscoring the belief that it is not too late to act, but action must be immediate and decisive.

The team was conceived as a response to the growing environmental crisis facing the world’s oceans, particularly plastic pollution, overfishing, and carbon emissions from maritime activities. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations—from boat design to crew travel—11th Hour Racing aims to set a new standard in professional sports. It competes in The Ocean Race, formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race, a 45,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation that takes place over several months and stops in multiple global cities.

Headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, the team has become a global leader in sustainable sports innovation. Its participation in the 2022–2023 edition of The Ocean Race marked a significant milestone, as it became the first team to commit to a carbon-neutral campaign and to use a fully recyclable or repurposed race boat. The team’s mission extends beyond competition, aiming to influence the broader sailing and sports communities to adopt eco-conscious practices.

How It Works

11th Hour Racing operates at the intersection of high-performance sailing and environmental activism. Its model integrates sustainability into every phase of racing, from design and logistics to education and outreach. Below are key components that define how the team functions and advances its mission.

• Sustainable Boat Design: The team’s IMOCA 60 yacht Mālama, launched in 2023, was built using recyclable materials and designed for end-of-life disassembly. Over 80% of its components can be reused or recycled, setting a new benchmark in yacht construction.
• Carbon-Neutral Operations: The team offsets all emissions from travel, shipping, and energy use. In 2023, it achieved a 100% carbon-neutral campaign through verified offset programs and renewable energy partnerships.
• Education & Outreach: 11th Hour Racing partners with schools and NGOs to deliver ocean literacy programs. In 2022, it reached over 25,000 students globally through virtual and in-person workshops.
• Supply Chain Ethics: All materials and services used by the team must meet strict environmental and social criteria. The team audits suppliers annually and prioritizes local, low-impact vendors.
• Innovation Partnerships: The team collaborates with MIT Sea Grant and Lonely Whale to develop new technologies for ocean monitoring and plastic reduction.
• Race Strategy Integration: Sustainability is embedded in race planning—crew members track environmental data during legs, contributing to scientific research on ocean health.

Key Details and Comparisons

The comparison above highlights how 11th Hour Racing diverges from conventional racing teams. While most teams prioritize speed and sponsorship, 11th Hour Racing treats sustainability as a performance metric. Its boat, Mālama, is not only competitive but also a testbed for green technology. The team’s commitment to education and transparency sets it apart—publishing annual sustainability reports and third-party audits. By aligning with scientific institutions, it contributes data to marine research, turning each race into a platform for environmental monitoring. This holistic model challenges the status quo, proving that high-stakes competition and planetary responsibility can coexist.

Real-World Examples

11th Hour Racing has demonstrated its mission through concrete actions across multiple campaigns. In the 2023 The Ocean Race – In-Port Series, the team won the final leg in Genoa, Italy, using only renewable energy for operations and offsetting all crew travel. The victory was symbolic, showing that sustainability does not compromise competitiveness. During the race, the team deployed sensors on Mālama to collect real-time data on microplastics and water temperature, shared with oceanographers at the University of Rhode Island.

Another notable initiative was the “Racing for the Future” campaign launched in 2021, which brought together athletes, scientists, and policymakers to advocate for ocean protection. The team also led a beach cleanup in Cape Town, South Africa, during a race stopover, engaging over 500 local volunteers and removing 1.2 tons of plastic waste. These efforts are not isolated events but part of a continuous strategy to embed environmental action into the fabric of professional sailing.

1. 2023 The Ocean Race In-Port Series: Won with a carbon-neutral footprint and real-time ocean data collection.
2. Mālama Launch (2023): Unveiled the most sustainable IMOCA 60 in history in Lorient, France.
3. “Racing for the Future” Summit (2021): Hosted in Newport, bringing together 150+ global leaders in sustainability.
4. Cape Town Cleanup (2023): Mobilized community action, removing over a ton of marine debris.

Why It Matters

11th Hour Racing is more than a sailing team—it is a catalyst for systemic change in sports and environmental policy. By proving that elite performance and sustainability are compatible, it challenges industries beyond sailing to rethink their environmental impact. Its influence extends to policy, inspiring The Ocean Race to adopt mandatory sustainability criteria for all teams starting in 2025.

• Impact: Raised over $5 million for ocean conservation through partnerships and fundraising events.
• Innovation: Pioneered the use of bio-based resins in yacht construction, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Policy Influence: Advocated for the UN High Seas Treaty, ratified in 2023, to protect international waters.
• Youth Engagement: Trained over 500 young sailors in sustainability practices through mentorship programs.
• Global Reach: Content and campaigns have reached over 100 million people via media and social platforms.

The legacy of 11th Hour Racing lies in its ability to transform a high-profile sport into a platform for advocacy. As climate change accelerates, the team’s model offers a blueprint for other sports organizations to follow—proving that leadership on the water can inspire action on land. Its success demonstrates that the 11th hour is not too late, but only if we act with purpose, innovation, and courage.