Endurance test for new build "Malizia - Seaexplorer": Boris Herrmann starts in the record field of the Route du Rhum

What has long been planned behind the scenes is now official: Boris Herrmann will be competing in the Route du Rhum from 6 November. It will be the first endurance test for his new build "Malizia - Seaexplorer" following the completion of his boat in France. The transatlantic classic is held every four years and takes its participants from Saint-Malo over 6,560 kilometres to Pointe-à-Pitre in the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe. Boris Herrmann came fifth in his last participation. His boat was honoured with the German Offshore Award in 2018. Almost two years after Herrmann's successful Vendée Globe première, the Route du Rhum start marks the halfway point for him before the next attempt at the summit: the Hamburg-based sailing professional wants to take part in sailing's most important solo race again in 2024/2025. The 40-year-old is also taking an important step towards the official Vendée Globe qualification by taking part in the transatlantic race. "The Route du Rhum participation also determined the timing for our design and construction of the new yacht," says Boris Herrmann. In other words, everything is going according to plan for the new build. Click here for a preview of the Route du Rhum 2022 (please click!).

There will be 138 men and women in total, both professionals and amateurs, taking part in several classes - including the Imocas sailed in the Vendée Globe. Boris Herrmann, who is leading the "A Race We Must Win" campaign with his Team Malizia, will continue to collect valuable data about the oceans with his mini-laboratory on board his IMOCA and transmit it to marine researchers. His recently rapidly growing Team Malizia is supported by its partners Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd and Schütz.

Originally, the Route du Rhum was limited to 120 skippers. However, due to the enormous demand, the organisers have now increased the field size and have so far accepted 18 wild card starters. This means that a new record has already been set for the 44-year-old race. The Route du Rhum is the most popular single-handed regatta across the Atlantic and has been held since 1978.