Criciúma, SC – Santa Catarina reaffirms its prominent position on the international stage with the confirmation of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race, the largest transoceanic regatta in the world, which will once again have Itajaí as the only stop in South America in April 2027. In addition to Itajaí, the southern region of Santa Catarina gains prominence with the launch of the Criciúma City Program, an initiative by SCBrasil Esporte Náutico, now in its second campaign to place a Brazilian boat in the competition. The project’s mission is to showcase Santa Catarina’s economic and tourism potential worldwide, attracting investors and strengthening the region’s image as a development hub.
Criciúma on The Ocean Race route
The Criciúma City Program is endorsed by environmental lawyer Anequesselen Fortunato, municipal director of Environment for 14 years, as Ambassador, and officially supported by Mayor Vaguinho Espíndola. Anequesselen emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Criciúma is a city that never stops growing, that generates jobs and needs to attract new companies and citizens. The Criciúma City brand will have unprecedented global exposure, and we will work to ensure that a boat from the city is present in the next regatta.”
The mayor reinforced the institutional commitment: “Anequesselen will be, already is – our ambassador for the Criciúma City program. We will share information and, who knows, build this partnership together.”
SCBrasil CEO, journalist Adilson Pacheco, announced that he will hold a meeting with the southern Santa Catarina tourism trade to present the new format for internationalizing the region in the global market. Pacheco has a history of involvement in regional tourism, having taken journalists and representatives to national and international events such as the Gramado Tourism Festival and FIT in Argentina, and was responsible for bringing journalists from Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, São Paulo, and other Santa Catarina regions to discover the tourism potential of the south.
Economic impact and international visibility
In the 2023 edition, Itajaí welcomed around 380,000 visitors, generating an economic impact of more than R$ 186 million for the city alone. The movement resulted in approximately R$ 10 million in ICMS for the state treasury.
Visibility was historic: 4 million viewers in international live broadcasts and 244 million people reached by national television, more than double the audience recorded in 2018.
Itajaí’s mayor, Robison Coelho, highlighted: “After hosting the Formula 1 of the seas, Itajaí became the national hub of shipbuilding. We used to turn our backs on the river, today we face it and grow more and more. We have already committed to 2027 and 2031 with state support.”
Strategic investment
The Government of Santa Catarina formalized a funding agreement worth R$ 12.3 million, allocated to the hosting fee and infrastructure needed to receive the event.
Secretary of International Articulation, Paulo Bornhausen, recalled that the State invested about 1 million euros in royalties ten years ago to bring the regatta, and that this investment turned into billions for Santa Catarina’s economy: “It was an investment that multiplied. Today, Santa Catarina reaps the rewards of having bet on The Ocean Race.”
Governor Jorginho Mello, present at the opening and closing of the 2023 edition, reinforced: “Itajaí fulfilled its role with great organization. The Ocean Race elevated Santa Catarina in the global ranking of ocean, events, and sailing. We created the State Secretariat of Tourism precisely to promote major events like this.”
SCBrasil Team and new campaigns
Founded in 2021, SCBrasil Esporte Náutico continues its mission to place a Brazilian boat in the competition. The SCBrasil Team has already begun its second campaign with innovative programs:
Criciúma City
Visitors SC
Made in SC
Coffee Brasil
SCBrasil City
Torben Grael in southern Santa Catarina
The choice of Criciúma has historical roots: from the Lineberg Shipyard, located in the city, came the Snaipe boat that led brothers Torben and Lars Grael to their first world title in 1983. Torben, who also won an edition of The Ocean Race commanding the Ericsson boat, symbolizes Brazilian sailing tradition.
Formula 1
State deputy Paulina, supporter of SCBrasil’s first campaign, compared the initiative of having the SCBrasil Team boat to the impact of having a national idol in motorsport: “It’s like having a Brazilian Formula 1 driver, like when we had Ayrton Senna. It’s our blood holding the helm and showing that we are present in global sailing.”
Countdown
There are 527 days left until Itajaí hosts The Ocean Race for the fifth time. The expectation is that the SCBrasil Team will represent Brazil in the competition, further reinforcing Santa Catarina’s leadership on the international stage.
The passion of Itajaí’s people for the regatta
The president of The Ocean Race, Richard Brisius, emphasized: “It is always a very welcome stop, especially as it comes after the longest leg at sea. The passion of the people of Itajaí for the regatta and the local leadership in sustainable events make this partnership natural and lasting.”
