Vendée Globe: Easter greetings from Lorient - Boris Herrmann ahead of first test runs
Tatjana Pokorny
· 31.03.2024
On Easter Monday, Boris Herrmann plans to be on board for the first time after the refit and relaunch when the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" leaves Lorient's La Base for tests and further optimisation. Even without their skipper, the crew were already out on their first short trip on Saturday. "Some of the electronics aren't working yet, which is always a bit annoying when everything is already there." These and other "construction sites" are to be finalised in the coming weeks.
The extensive heeling tests had already taken place last week. "They are always carried out when you change something structurally on the ship," explained Boris Herrmann. He continued: "In our case, we added weight to the keel bomb and integrated the new foils, which have a slightly different shape and are also somewhat heavier." Regarding the heavier bomb, Herrmann said: "I was always one of the few people who wanted to try a lighter bomb. 'Hugo Boss' used to be like that. But others have the heaviest possible bomb, so the opposite."
A perfect pair of new wings
In the case of the "Malizia - Seaexplorer", the bomb was "a little too light to get the boat upright again". The centre of gravity of the new foils was also slightly higher. "So some weight had to be added," said Herrmann, explaining the refit measure for his boat. The new foils replace the foils used as a substitute in the Ocean Race, which Team Malizia was lucky enough to buy from Phil Sharp's team shortly before the start of the race after their own foils broke. Although they weren't perfect, they fitted quite well in the emergency situation and were a stroke of luck. Now, however, "Malizia - Seaexplorer" has been fitted with some new wings that were built especially for her.
The Imoca class has a maximum size for the foils: eight cubic metres. Herrmann explained that this is more of a mathematical value than a real size specification. "In principle, it is the projected area multiplied by the distance from the centreline. The rule is cleverly written. It allows for different foil shapes that can ultimately absorb a similar amount of force and generate a righting moment. Our last foils were 7.2 cubic metres. Now we are at the class limit for the first time ever," said Boris Herrmann about the latest development for "Malizia - Seaexplorer".
The crew has already experienced this "extra power", which is also intended to counteract the boat's slight weakness in light winds. Co-skipper Will Harris took part in the first outing on Saturday and reported to his skipper that they "clearly felt the extra power". The new foils belong to the same foil family as the previous wings of the German Imoca, but utilise the class rules better and also fit the boat better than the ones spontaneously adopted before the Ocean Race.
New sails for "Malizia - Seaexplorer"
"You couldn't pull the old foils all the way into the boat. That wasn't really a disadvantage, but sometimes it meant that the windward foil created a lot of spray when the boat was not moving very much," said Boris Herrmann. This didn't really slow down "Malizia - Seaexplorer", but the new foils could be pulled in better. A layman would hardly recognise any difference between the old and the new foils, said Herrmann. There is a difference of a few centimetres in the width of the foil blade ("chord length"). New matching bearings were also installed with the new foils.
Another new feature on board the "Malizia - Seaexplorer" is the mountain bike-style suspension seat for the skipper, which can be moved from one side of the boat to the other. There is also a sprung bunk. The boat of choice, co-developed by Boris Herrmann, has also been given new sails for its second participation in the Vendée Globe from 10 November. "We've tweaked the sails a bit more and have a new J2, a bit smaller and a bit different. We didn't have a jib top before. A sail that starts from the bow. I had used it successfully on the old boat in the last Vendée Globe. I wanted to have it again now. Everything is now being finalised so that I can test it on the two Transat races."
The timetable for Transat preparation
For the last month until the start of the Transat CIC in Lorient, Boris Herrmann wants to use his time on the water wisely: "The aim is to have fewer, but good sessions on the water." The fact that this first of the two upcoming transats in spring will start in Lorient, where his team and many others are based, is of course a gift, said Herrmann. Preparations are underway. The North Atlantic race organised by OC Sport Pen Duick will test its challengers over around 3,000 nautical miles between Europe and the USA. The motto: one man or one woman, one boat, one ocean.
From Sir Francis Chichester and Éric Tabarly to François Gabart, Alain Colas, Philippe Poupon, Michel Desjoyeaux, Loïck Peyron and Francis Joyon, the greatest sailors on the North Atlantic have distinguished themselves over the decades and inscribed their names on the Transat CIC winners' list. This year's edition also celebrates the 60th anniversary of Éric Tabarly's victory on board the "Pen-Duick II", which has shaped both the history of the race and that of French sailing. Tabarly won again in 1976, this time on the "Pen-Duick VI". The record for the most victories is held by Loïck Peyron, who won in 1992, 1996 and 2008.
The Imoca greats step on the gas again
Boris Herrmann wants to get "back into racing mode" in the coming weeks. "I want to find my routine, my sea legs again and see that everything works one hundred per cent again. The week after 8 April is training in Port-La-Forêt. I want to be at full throttle there. We'll also do a long offshore trip overnight." The grandees of Imoca Sport will be there: Charlie Dalin, Thomas Ruyant, Jérémie Beyou, Yoann Richomme, Sam Davies, Justine Mettraux and more ambitious candidates.
The third week of April is reserved for further tests, should they be necessary. Then there is the physical and mental preparation for the races. "If everything goes well, you don't have to sail so much. Maybe there will be time to discuss things with the team for the Vendée Globe," mused Boris Herrmann. According to Herrmann, the feeling for his boat in terms of durability and strength is still "super". "I can let it rip and don't have to worry unnecessarily. I'm really looking forward to these two transats and this season."
