It marks nothing less than the start of a new era for Team Malizia. With the launch of “Malizia 4” on 6 July at La Base in Lorient, Boris Herrmann and his racing team have opened a new chapter in their ten-year history. The anniversary will be celebrated on 18 July at the team’s headquarters in La Base harbour, directly opposite the new Maison des Skippers and the Capitainerie, with team members, partners and friends, including those from other teams.
“Love at first sail” for Boris Herrman and his team
Until then, intensive testing and training with the new boat will continue ahead of the Lorient regatta. The initial experiences and results have given Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia – and the skipper himself – great cause for confidence. “It’s love at first sight,” said Herrmann – and he wasn’t the only one. The beaming faces in the crew speak volumes these days.
"We knew after just five minutes of flight that it was going to be spectacular." Boris Herrmann
With the Ocean Race Atlantic and the Route du Rhum still to come this year, and his seventh circumnavigation of the globe with The Ocean Race next year, Boris Herrmann seems highly satisfied with the initial findings. The 45-year-old said, following a two-year construction phase: “The boat is fantastic!”
Boris Herrmann returned to the subject once again during the interview, explaining why he is partnering with Team Malizia on the triplet project alongside Thomas Ruyant (TRR) and Loïs Berrehaar (Team Banque Populaire). Designer Antoine Koch has designed sister ships for all three. The first two are afloat. Boris Herrmann’s ‘rocket’ not only sails but also flies. Berrehar won’t receive his new boat until early 2027; until then, he’ll be a member of Herrmann’s sailing team.
Off to a flying start with “Malizia 4”
Boris Herrmann said: “There were several reasons for the collaboration. Firstly, the architect Antoine Koche has a close relationship with Thomas Ruyant. Thomas Ruyant could also have vetoed the idea and said: ‘No, I don’t want anything to do with them.’ In that respect, it was great that we were able to come together here with these two superb teams – Banque Populaire and Thomas Ruyant Racing – to form this trio.”
Boris Herrmann went on to say: “Of course, three design offices from three teams can come up with more ideas and solve more problems. There are simply more clever minds and good ideas.” In the film by YACHT TV editor Nils Günter, Boris Herrmann and his technical director Pierre-François “Pifou” Dargnies explain the results of the collaborative development and staggered construction processes in conversation with YACHT expert Tim Kröger.
Following the first sailing tests, Boris Herrmann was delighted to announce: “We were immediately capable of maintaining a stable flight. “The boat feels great at the helm. Everything’s working.” Speaking about this new chapter, Boris Herrmann also recalled the launch of its predecessor, “Malizia 3”, which was “born” on 19 July 2022. Herrmann said: “Four years ago, it was a completely different story. We were still a very young team. We didn’t really have a plan for some things yet.”
“Pifou” Dargnies was the construction foreman
Four years on, the team’s world looks very different today. “Now, as sailors, we knew exactly what we wanted. We’ve sailed round the world twice together. As a team. Will (Ed.: co-skipper Will Harris) and I skippered the Ocean Race together, taking turns. We knew exactly: where we wanted each display to be. Where each number should be shown. Which equipment did we not need? What could we do without…” Here, Boris Herrmann explains his new, versatile IMOCA to the French magazine *Voiles & Voiliers* and looks happy whilst doing so.
Boris Herrmann also spoke with great respect of his construction manager, “Pifou” Dargnies. “We have ‘Pifou’, Pierre-François, our Technical Director, who has built his fifth boat with this shipyard (Ed.: CDK Technologies had up to 70 staff on site) and has thereby established an absolutely flawless process. And finally, we also have the support of the three teams, who help one another out. All of this has led to a much more streamlined construction process. So it’s a wonderful feeling!”
Click here to watch the YACHT TV film about the new IMOCA, featuring all the technical details from the exclusive tour with Boris Herrmann, “Pifou” Dargnies and Tim Kröger:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter