- Cool with Cole: new co-skipper for Team Malizia
- When the dream becomes reality
- La Course des Caps: New Imoca regatta ahead
- With the YCM team to the Admiral's Cup
- Boris Herrmann's anticipation of the Ocean Race Europe
- Happy memories of the Kiel Fly-By
- My Ocean Challenge: free ocean education
She is 30 years young and the first American woman to sail non-stop around the world. The skipper, who grew up on Long Island, became famous when she took part in the Global Solo Challenge. Her open and refreshing insights into her life at sea helped her to gather a huge new fan base behind her.
After 130 days, Cole Brauer finished second behind Philipp Delamare (France) on the Class40 "First Light" last year. She was honoured for her performance with the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and at boot Düsseldorf for the Seamaster 2025 chosen. The next career leap is now set to follow - and for six months at least.
Cool with Cole: new co-skipper for Team Malizia
While Cole Brauer himself has a vision for the future Vendée Globe-She became a "family member" of Team Malizia during the current tenth edition. Her commentary could be heard every Monday evening on the Malizia Vendée Show, where she analysed the race alongside Team Malizia's director Holly Cova, co-skipper Will Harris and other experts.
Cole Brauer has also sailed with Team Malizia for tests in the USA, in training and during the Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération Lorient on board "Malizia - Seaexplorer". Even back then, Boris Herrmann, who looked after Cole Brauer as part of the Magenta project, said: "I would like to win her over for our team." This has now been achieved. Team Malizia introduced Cole Brauer as the official new co-skipper on 20 February.
This means that at least six exciting months lie ahead, because after the Vendée Globe is already before the Ocean Race Europe and other challenges on the horizon for Team Malizia. The team's regatta calendar this season is more ambitious and demanding than almost ever before in the team's history. The sports programme is complemented by intensive "Ocean Advocacy": Team Malizia's commitment to marine research and education.
When the dream becomes reality
Malizia - Seaexplorer" is currently being overhauled in Lorient after the Vendée Globe before she and her crew - and Cole Brauer - can set off on the upcoming races. She herself says: "Becoming part of Team Malizia really is a dream come true. Today is actually my last day on the 'First Light', which I sold. And it's also the start of a new chapter as a co-skipper with this great team that I got to know last year."
The first time I was able to foil on 'Malizia - Seaexplorer' was last year in New York. That was an incredible feeling!" Cole Brauer
She will get more of that in the coming months. "Now I get to race on this incredible boat, bring my own experience to the team and become a full part of the Malizia family. I'm really looking forward to learning from this remarkable group of people and taking part in exciting races on the Imoca circuit," said Cole Brauer.
Cole is a truly talented sailor and her journey fits perfectly with our mission to push boundaries and inspire people." Boris Herrmann
The anticipation is mutual. Boris Herrmann is excited about the new female addition to his team, saying of his new co-skipper: "Sailing around the world alone on an old and difficult Class40 is an incredible achievement. She is inspirational, determined and brings a fresh perspective to our team. While I had the chance to mentor her, I learnt a lot from her. I'm looking forward to racing alongside Cole and Will this year and taking on new challenges together!"
La Course des Caps: New Imoca regatta ahead
With the new co-skipper, Team Malizia also announced another regatta participation in La Course des Caps. The new Imoca regatta has Boulogne-sur-Mer as its start and finish harbour. The race starts on 29 June with a mixed crew and onboard reporter. The event will count towards the Imoca season championship, for which Team Malizia is aiming for the strongest possible result.
The fleet will cover almost 2,000 nautical miles around the British Isles in five to eight days - a special celebration for British co-skipper Will Harris. This regatta marks the start of the Imoca crewed season and will also be the first race of the year for Team Malizia, who will then quickly and intensively pick up speed. The introduction of further new crew members will follow in the coming weeks.
Shortly after the Franco-British season opener Team Malizia will sail under the flag of the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) in the revival of the Admiral's Cup. The Admiral's Cup comeback organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) will take place from 17 July to 1 August 2025 in the traditional sailing area off Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The legendary Rolex Fastnet Race is part of the regatta programme.
With the YCM team to the Admiral's Cup
The Monegasque team will be competing with two boats: the TP52 "Jolt 3", which will be steered by YCM member Peter Harrison in the large IRC class. YCM Vice President and Team Malizia founder Pierre Casiraghi will be at the helm of the smaller Carkeek 40 "Jolt 6". Boris Herrmann, Will Harris, Cole Brauer and Oakley Marsh from Team Malizia will reinforce the crew before they have to switch over at lightning speed.
The starting shot for the Ocean Race Europe will be fired off Kiel on 10 August. Team Malizia will then be at the start of the Ocean Race's European little sister regatta for the first time. The second edition of the European regatta will take around six weeks and several stopovers to the destination harbour of Boka Bay in Montenegro. Under the motto "Connecting Europe", the Imoca fleet will sail from the Baltic Sea via the North Sea through the English Channel into the Atlantic and finally across the Mediterranean into the Adriatic.
Boris Herrmann's anticipation of the Ocean Race Europe
Boris Herrmann says: "I'm really looking forward to The Ocean Race While I love the challenge of sailing alone, there is something very special about sailing with a crew. I'm looking forward to being back on board the 'Malizia - Seaexplorer' with a great team, where each member brings their own strengths and motivates us to improve and push ourselves to our limits."
I will be skippering our great boat. And if I'm not on board for certain legs, Will Harris will take on the role of skipper, as he has already done for two legs in the Ocean Race." Boris Herrmann
Boris Herrmann heaped praise on his loyal companion and weather expert Will Harris: "He is a talented sailor, a strong leader and knows this boat like the back of his hand. He will do an excellent job of driving both the boat and the crew forward. A particularly exciting new addition is Cole Brauer as co-skipper. For the rest of the crew, including the sailors and media people, we have some exciting new additions..."
Happy memories of the Kiel Fly-By
The high waves of fan enthusiasm at the Kiel Fly-By in the last Ocean Race with around 120,000 people on the fjord Boris Herrmann remembers it fondly. At the time, he compared the emotions to the happy Malizia passage from Cape Horn. So the anticipation for the Ocean Race Europe start in Kiel is also great. Boris Herrmann said: "We are all very happy and excited that the Ocean Race Europe is starting in Kiel this year."
Boris Herrmann heaped praise on his loyal companion and weather expert Will Harris: "He is a talented sailor, a strong leader and knows this boat like the back of his hand. He will do an excellent job of driving both the boat and the crew forward. A particularly exciting new addition is Cole Brauer as co-skipper. For the rest of the crew, including the sailors and media people, we have some exciting new additions..."
Kiel feels like home to me. I've grown up sailing here over the years." Boris Herrmann
Kiel is important to Team Malizia in several ways. Boris Herrmann explains: "Kiel is also the home of Geomar and our scientific partners. The Ocean Race Europe is a great opportunity for the public to meet the team, see the boat and get in touch with our My Ocean Challenge 2025 education programme. It will definitely be a highlight for me, our team and our partners. We can't wait to take part in the regatta!"
My Ocean Challenge: free ocean education
The My Ocean Challenge educational programme has now reached over 80,000 children worldwide and, through the adventure of sailing, has awakened their curiosity about the ocean, marine life and its important role in the global climate system. Thanks to the support of the Prince Albert II Foundation and the Dorit and Alexander Otto Foundation, all educational resources are available free of charge and in many languages for pupils and educators, according to Team Malizia.
Team Malizia's collaboration with UNICEF to promote children's rights and environmental protection through a digital lesson organised around this year's World Oceans Day is new. On 18 June 2025, schoolchildren are invited to take part in a special children's event at Hamburg's Deichtorhallen in person or virtually, which will be broadcast live via Zoom. The event is aimed at children aged eight to twelve.
