At the latest since the Vendée Globe Four years ago, Boris sailed his way into the hearts of the Germans. In Covid times, the single-handed race was one of the few sporting events that helped you get through the long winter. And because the skipper felt as isolated on his boat as many of us do within our own four walls, his journey reached a public far beyond sailing circles.
During the 80 days of the Vendée, Boris became a kind of best buddy, and because of his collision on the last nautical miles off Les Sables with a happy ending in fifth place, he eventually became a worldwide sports VIP. Since then, the lanky guy with the big hands, the slightly bulky hairstyle and the likeable charisma has simply been known.
Or not?
Director Jan Zabeil wanted to find out more about this Mr Herrmann. He spent months producing a TV documentary for ARD that gets closer to Boris than almost any other format to date. He wanted to know what makes this exceptional athlete, who is also a team boss and environmental activist, tick. And Boris, who sometimes "shuts down" when the media hype gets too much for him, obviously wanted to know too.
Boris Herrmann up close and personal on ARD
He allowed the camera team to get as close to him as only the Malizia film makers at The Ocean RaceJan Zabeil took us on the long journey between his home in Hamburg and the team base in Lorient, to the practice stroke before the Vendée Globe and to his home office. Above all, however, in long, thoughtful interviews he revealed layers of his personality that only a few people in the know know.
He speaks openly about the doubts he had after his "Malizia - Seaexplorer" took shape - a boat that he had deliberately designed four years ago against the prevailing trends based on his tough experiences in the Southern Ocean: with more keel jump for better sailing behaviour in strong winds and waves, with a firmer structure, with more freeboard.
"If the new boat doesn't sail, if it doesn't work, then we can pack it in. My career and now everything depends on it," he says in the film.
Vendée Globe: Should you have seen the documentary?
But his parents also have their say, describing him as a boy who saw the Wadden Sea as his sandbox and who could forget the time in the Opti. And friends like Julien Kleiner, with whom he successfully sailed a dinghy, or Felix Oehme, who accompanied him on his first and so far only victory in a regatta around the world - the Portimao Global Ocean Race.
It is not least these moments that make the documentary absolutely worth seeing, because they reveal the complexity of his character, at least to some extent.
The film often draws on archive footage, sometimes blurring the boundaries between Boris' first and the upcoming second Vendée Globe, between his first "Imoca" and the new "Malizia - Seaexplorer", between the Ocean Race and the Vendée. Those who are petty might take offence.
In fact, the film captures Boris' personality and the challenge he is now facing again so well that there can only be one recommendation: absolutely worth seeing!
"Boris Herrmann - Sailing at the limit"
...is available in the ARD media library from 10 November and will also be broadcast on Saturday, 16 November at 7.10 pm on Ersten.
The Vendée Globe launch live on TV and stream
NDR will also be broadcasting the entire start - starting with the skippers' departure parade from 7.30 am until the starting signal at 1.02 pm - in full. The live stream will be commentated by NDR reporter Sven Kaulbars and professional sailor Tim Kröger from Hamburg. Available directly here at YACHT.DE and in the ARD Mediathek on Sunday, 10 November, from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm.
