Boris Herrmann's regatta debut with the new racing yacht "Malizia - Seaexplorer" is not going according to plan at the Route du Rhum. After a disappointing race so far at the transatlantic classic Route du Rhum, the Hamburg native is now also struggling with a technical problem.
According to Herrmann's latest report, the three metal bolts that hold the upper part of the foil bearing together inside the new building have started to bend and are threatening to break. "After discussion with the team, we decided to take it a little easier so as not to risk anything more," said Herrmann.
It was impossible for him to get the bolts back into their original position, explained the Vendée Globe fifth-placed sailor. It was "a bit of a disappointment" because he could "no longer sail in full racing mode". On the way to making a new racing yacht reliable, however, it is "part of the game to find such problems". He continued: "Everyone in the team and I are happy that we are doing this now. Here at this back of the race. There's not so much at stake, we're not losing as much as we would in The Ocean Race, for example."
We will still finish the race. But a little slower and without foils."
Herrmann expects to reach the finish line off Pointe-è-Pitre on Guadeloupe on 23 November. The 41-year-old said: "We will still finish the race. But a little slower and without foils." With a view to the Vendée Globe 2024/2025, it is important for Herrmann to reach the finish line of the Route du Rhum with an official ranking. "I will still be a competitor in the final classification and therefore qualified for the Vendée Globe. That is very important."
Despite the recent setback, Herrmann gave his boat a good report card: "We have built a beautiful boat and it has brought me this far. I have seen good performances. We've just won on acceleration. We've done some 27-knot surfs. And 20-knot averages. I couldn't have done that in these swells with the old boat."
On the morning of 19 November, the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper was in 26th place in the field of the remaining 34 Imoca racing yachts. After a highly defensive race and unfortunate strategic positioning, he was already more than 700 nautical miles behind the leader Thomas Ruyant on "LinkedOut". The Frenchman fought a thrilling duel with compatriot Charlie Dalin ("Apivia") for the Imoca class victory in this 12th edition of the Route du Rhum. Beautiful racing scenes of the "LinkedOut" can be seen in the following video clip:
