Le Défi Azimut: Warming up for the Vendée Globe - Boris Herrmann before the final regatta test
Tatjana Pokorny
· 11.09.2024
"A beautiful battle in sight" - this is how the organisers of the Défi Azimut have announced their small, but fine summit meeting for the Imoca class. The centrepiece of the September meeting in Lorient is the 48-hour race with a loop in the Atlantic, which the Imoca skippers compete in solo, but each with an onboard reporter. Boris Herrmann's popular "flight captain" Antoine Auriol will also be back with the team this week.
Cole Brauer on board as "Watch Captain" with Boris
Solo circumnavigator and "Saiing's Wonder Woman" Cole Brauer is also on board "Malizia - Seaexplorer" on the Défi Azimut. The American solo circumnavigator is on board as an observer, only helping with manoeuvres if safety is an issue. In this special Vendée Globe year, all teams have a so-called "watch captain" on board.
Cole Brauer came second in the Global Solo Challenge in March this year, becoming the first US American to complete a solo non-stop regatta around the world and amassing an impressive following of 457,000 fans on Instagram in the process. The 48-hour race kicks off on 12 September. Click here for the live broadcast The organisers have scheduled the event for the afternoon of the start on 12 September from 1.30 to 3.30 pm. Also from the start Team Malizia's on-board reporter Antoine Auriol will be reporting live from on board between 3.15pm and 4pm.
22 skippers are on the start list for the 48-hour race. In addition to Boris Herrmann as number one in the current Imoca season rankings, the co-favourites for the Vendée Globe include Thomas Ruyant ("Vulnerable"), Yoann Richomme ("Paprec Arkéa"), Charlie Dalin ("Macif Santé Prévoyance"), Sam Davies ("Initiatives Cœur"), Jérémie Beyou ("Charal") and other greats. Four of the six upcoming Vendée Globe challengers are in action at the Défi Azimut, including Munich-born Isabelle Joschke with "Macsf".
Speed race and a 48-hour test
The 48-hour stage is preceded by the speed races on 11 September, which are all about pure speed. The starts will take place between the island of Groix and Lorient. Groix Island, which is around eight kilometres long and three kilometres wide, lies around four nautical miles from Lorient. For many skippers, the Défi Azimut marks a welcome home game, as their racing stables are based in Lorient's harbour La Base. The aim of the speed runs is to achieve the best time over a distance of one nautical mile.
Last year, Yoann Richomme won the sprint final with "Paprec Arkéa" ahead of Charlie Dalin ("Macif - Santé Prévoyance") and Jérémie Beyou ("Charal"). Jérémie Beyou set the fastest time in the course of the competition on "Charal" with 2 minutes and 35 seconds. The Frenchman also won the 48-hour race ahead of his compatriot Charlie Dalin and the Brit Sam Goodchild on "Vulnerable". Boris Herrmann took seventh place with "Malizia - Seaexplorer".
Another special feature of Le Défi Azimut is the alternating format: In odd-numbered years it is contested in two-handed mode, in even-numbered years like this one in solo mode. Last year, Boris Herrmann was in action with his co-skipper Will Harris. In this Vendée Globe year, the 41-year-old is alone. The start line for the speed runs will open at 1 pm this Wednesday and close at 5 pm.
Défi Azimut as final test for the Vendée Globe
The results of the 14th Le Défi Azimut, led by Yann Eliès as regatta director, are not given too much significance for the Vendée Globe by the skippers. "It's a warm-up, a good workout, a nice get-together with everyone," said Boris Herrmann. The classic race with a medium distance of around 500 nautical miles runs until 15 September.
Boris Herrmann recently prepared for the upcoming challenges with the Pôle Finistère. He also took part in a 48-hour solo. Will Harris and Vincent Riou were also on board as observers and training partners. Team Malizia's technical director Pifou Dargnies said before the start of the Défi Azimut: "We are ready. And the team is really looking forward to the Défi Azimut, the last race before the Vendée Globe."
Team Malizia's boat builder Clément Caumont believes that "Malizia - Seaexplorer" is well prepared for the upcoming preparations: "It's been a busy year with the Transats. Boris has competed in some really good races. Now it's time for the Défi Azimut and the Vendée Globe!" The last refit for "Malizia - Seaexplorer" was completed in August. "That was the last major and thorough general check for the boat. We are very pleased with its performance after the transats," said co-skipper Will Harris, who married Team Malizia's logistics manager Lucia Nebrada in May.
