Vendée Globe: Boris Herrmann - "The Vendée Globe is the ultimate challenge"
Tatjana Pokorny
· 07.11.2024
You can almost hear the countdown clocks in Les Sables-d'Olonne ticking down to Germany. The tension before the start increases daily. The most important solo round-the-world race, the Vendée Globe, starts in France on Sunday. A record fleet of 40 boats will set sail for the 10th edition off Les Sables-d'Olonne on 10 November at 13:02. Boris Herrmann wants to do it for the second time after his premiere in 2020/2021. His motto: "Back for more."
In contrast to what has often been the case in the past, the 34 men and six women are looking forward to a good weather start. Five-time circumnavigator Boris Herrmann is also expecting a "rather calm start". The 43-year-old said at his last press conference on Thursday afternoon: "At the moment it looks like light to medium winds."
10th Vendée Globe: No new record in sight?
Instead of the possible six days to the equator, the start of the Bay of Biscay, which has often been rough and characterised by many cancellations in the past, could take almost twice as long. Herrmann specified: "It doesn't look very fast at the moment, more like ten or eleven days to the equator." This means that the chances of setting a new record time for the most famous single-handed race around the world have diminished. Since the penultimate Vendée Globe in 2016/2017, the record has been held by Frenchman Armel Le Cléac'h with 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds.
The race takes its challengers from France down the Atlantic. On their Southern Ocean route around the world, the daredevils pass the three great capes: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn. They then head back up the Atlantic to the start and finish harbour of Les Sables-d'Olonne.
For the start, the fleet could "perhaps expect a light-winded cross", according to Herrmann. "Perhaps there will also be a breeze at Cape Finisterre," Herrmann continued. "The typical scenario is a huge low-pressure area with a cold front, hammering waves and reaching out of the Bay of Biscay. We had that last time. A few boats had to turn back in the rough conditions shortly after the start. So it actually looks nice this time, but not very fast."
Boris Herrmann's favourites are Ruyant and Richomme
When asked about his race favourites and France's highly rated Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance), Boris Herrmann once again underlined his early assessment: "For me, the favourites are Thomas Ruyant and Yoann Richomme. I think Charlie Dalin will be a strong competitor in the Atlantic. His boat is optimised for shallower water or moderate swell. I believe that in the Southern Ocean we will potentially see the other two competitors mentioned upwind with faster average speeds. I hope the same for us."
Boris Herrmann also provided another reason for his assessment: "Charlie could sail a fantastic race. He is one of the best sailors. I just think that his boat is difficult downwind in the south. For the Atlantic, however, it is certainly the fastest boat. A lot will depend on what scenario we experience south of Cape Town. Will he be one or two weather systems ahead of parts of the fleet?"
On the other hand, Boris Herrmann reminded us that the Atlantic will not decide everything: "The beauty of the Vendée Globe also lies in the fact that you can be 1000 miles behind but still win the race. Even 1500 miles behind can still be turned round in the course of the race. For me, Charlie Dalin is not the big favourite in this race, even though I see him as first in the Southern Ocean."
Which design philosophy wins the race?
Boris Herrmann explained why he considers Yoann Richomme and Thomas Ruyant, as well as himself with "Malizia - Seaexplorer", to be among the favourites: "Thomas Ruyant and Yoann Richomme have optimised their boats for the Southern Ocean and therefore for the overall race, just like us." According to Herrmann, we will see "which philosophy works better in the end." Herrmann also knows that another good handful of strong competitors will be in the fight for the podium places.
I'm really excited." Boris Herrmann
After finishing fifth on his debut, he said he had "mentally prepared himself better" for two and a half months of challenges and loneliness. Herrmann openly admitted that he had "perhaps underestimated the race a little" despite his previous participation. He said: "The Vendée Globe is the ultimate challenge! It may sound like a phrase, but I'm really starting to feel it now! My hands have been sweating a bit since September. I'm nervous, hopping from one foot to the other."
At the same time, however, Herrmann, who had deliberately kept a low profile in recent weeks, said: "I think I'm in a really good frame of mind and we are very well prepared. I think we are one of the best prepared teams. I haven't had much to do on the boat since mid-September. That's a great feeling." He has also been able to concentrate on other topics and studies and feels "really good" overall ahead of the race.
