Boris Herrmann is almost ready for his second solo race around the world. Just under four weeks before the start of the 10th Vendée Globe on 10 November in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, the 43-year-old from his adopted home of Hamburg reported at an online press conference on the status of his team Malizia's preparations for another solo attempt at the summit.
Vendée Globe with Redkord fleet
"I'm more excited than last time. I don't really know why," said Herrmann openly. On other differences between his 2020/2021 premiere, which he finished fifth after a dramatic collision with a fishing boat on the last night before the finish, and the second summit attempt, Boris Herrmann said: "Last time we started in corona times, now it's full life. Last time we had 32 starters on the line, this time it's a record field of 40 participating boats, which have been even more heavily screened."
Accordingly, Boris Herrmann expects a strong fleet. He is cautiously optimistic about his own chances: "Everything is possible. On paper, we are the team that is best prepared. We can be proud of that. We have already sailed with our ship in the Ocean Race in the Southern Ocean. Of course I'm hoping for a great result. Anything less than top ten would be a big disappointment. Six to ten people can sail for victory. We are one of them."
At the same time, Boris Herrmann is aware that there are newer boats with some potential: "There are the teams with the later boats that have already incorporated new trends in yachting design. We are certainly a very strong fleet."
Into the race with a new set of sails
Herrmann reported that his boat is already well prepared with new optimised sails. A 30-strong team is currently preparing for the race at the "Malizia - Seaexplorers" base camp in Lorients La Base. "Most of them are engineers, yacht construction engineers, electronics technicians, composite experts, craftsmen, mechanics, rigging specialists and a few more," said Boris Herrmann. His co-skipper Will Harris, who deals with many issues, is also heavily involved.
Boris Herrmann's view of the boat is carefree and optimistic. After the Ocean Race and many transatlantic races, "Malizia - Seaexplorer" is "well tested and optimised". Although Boris Herrmann has already passed Cape Horn six times, the legendary landmark remains a major goal for him this time too: "I hope to see the big mountain. If I'm lucky enough to see Cape Horn, I'd be really happy."
Compared to his first Vendée Globe participation, Boris Herrmann is looking forward to the second test with a good feeling for his boat: "I was very worried about my boat the first time. I sailed my boat with a shaky hand. Now I sail my boat the way I know it. And I don't feel the same pressure as I did in the first race."
Being alone as the most difficult test
Boris Herrmann himself is currently still at home in Hamburg. There he is preparing himself both physically and mentally for the endurance test, which is expected to last just under three months. He is already "in the tunnel". He is doing "a bit of sport" and likes to be motivated by the America's Cup races in Barcelona. "My heart beats a little for the English," Boris Herrmann revealed on Monday.
Now and again, he intersperses a short siesta into his daily routine during his preparations in Hamburg, "to be able to repeat the exercise of falling asleep quickly". His Vendée Globe première is the more important signpost for his current preparations than his last circumnavigation of the world with a team in the Ocean Race.
"There are few occasions when you are alone for three months. Except maybe in prison." Boris Herrmann
"It's more the solitude than the purely technical sailing with the boat that I'm gearing up for now," explained Boris Herrmann. According to the family man and keen team player, loneliness is the great speciality of the Vendée Globe. "I'm trying to be as relaxed as possible in the face of this," said Boris Herrmann. At the same time, he knows: "There is no one big recipe for what to do about it. I'll keep an eye on myself and I think I have one or two resources that I can draw on mentally."
Shared passion
Later in the race, it is helpful to talk to other sailors. "But you can't get rid of the feeling completely if you're sensitive and affected by it. There are also some competitors who are more cool about it. It's always an issue for me," said Herrmann. What also helps him is his passion for sharing the adventures of the Vendée Globe with the fans.
