He was actually on a completely different mission. His current boat, the Volvo Open 70 "Maserati", is on standby in New York for a transatlantic record attempt. And the big goal for this year was: the first participation of a German in the Vendée Globe. But now Boris Herrmann is sailing a kind of lee bow and joining the Grand Prix circus.
Together with three-time Olympic champion and two-time America's Cup winner Jochen Schümann, he will compete in the French-German syndicate "Audi Sailing Team powered by All4One" on a TP 52. Herrmann is listed in a team announcement in second place behind skipper Schümann as navigator - a parade role for him, which he also fulfils on board Giovanni Soldini's "Maserati". Albeit on unfamiliar terrain. Because his love belongs to long-distance and single-handed sailing.
There is not much time to get used to it. The first TP-52 race will take place in Barcelona in just four weeks' time. This means that Herrmann's participation in the transatlantic record with "Maserati" is in jeopardy. The start, which only makes sense in an ideal low-pressure system, has been postponed for weeks due to a lack of wind.
All4One's second appearance will be at Kieler Woche from 16 to 24 June - a home game for the two Germans in the team. And a feast for the fans. The rest of the team is made up of Volvo, America's Cup and Med Cup professionals. A strong and experienced squad, which will be joined by some younger talents from Germany.
"2012 will be a transitional season for the TP class after the successful years of the Audi MedCup," said Jochen Schümann. "There will only be a few top teams sailing, a small but very competitive fleet. We are looking forward to it."
The Audi Sailing Team powered by All4One
Jochen Schümann - Skipper (3 America's Cup participations, 2 victories, 3 times Olympic champion)
Boris Herrmann - navigator (DM 505, winner of the Global Ocean Race, 5th place in the Barcelona World Race)
Jean-Marie Dauris - Foreship (FRA - 2 America's Cup campaigns, MedCup)
Paolo Bassani - forecastle/mast (ITA - 3 America's Cup participations, Whitbread, MedCup)
Albert Jacobsoone - Fallen (FRA - 7 America's Cup campaigns, MedCup circuit)
Pascal Rambeau - Stratege (FRA - Olympic medallist, World Champion Starboat)
Juan Meseguer - Genoa Trimmer (ESP - 2 times America's Cup, 1 win, Volvo Ocean Race, MedCup)
Gilles Favennec - Grinder (FRA - 2 America's Cup campaigns, MedCup)
Ignacio Braquehais - mainsail trimmer (ESP - 4 America's Cup participations, MedCup)
Pietro Mantovani - Grinder (ITA - 2 America's Cup campaigns, winner Audi MedCup 2010)
Stephane Kandler - Team Captain (FRA - One Ton Cup, IMS 50)
Jordi Calafat - Tactician (ESP - America's Cup winner, Volvo Ocean Race, Olympic champion)
The programme
Trofeo Conde de Godo, Barcelona, May 23-27
Kieler Woche, Kiel, June 16-24
Royal Cup, Palma, July 10-14
Copa del Rey, Palma, July 16-21
Valencia Cup, September 18-22
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
