During The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint west of Gibraltar, several sailboats experienced close encounters with orcas. Team JAJO's skipper, Jelmer van Beek, described a tense situation where three orcas approached their vessel and began nudging the rudders. While acknowledging the beauty of the animals, van Beek also emphasized the potential danger, prompting the team to lower their sails and reduce speed until the orcas moved on. Another team, Mirpuri Trifork Racing, also reported an interaction with orcas, though neither team reported any damage to their boats or injuries to crew members.

This incident follows a pattern of similar orca interactions off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. The Atlantic Orca Working Group documented 18 such occurrences in May alone. The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint, a new competition spanning three legs and four cities, aims to provide up-and-coming sailors with valuable experience. Race Director Phil Lawrence highlighted the opportunity for these teams to compete in a challenging environment, gaining offshore racing exposure.

These recent encounters raise questions about the increasing frequency of orca interactions with boats in the region.