OTG registers for The Ocean Race Europe: Offshore Team Germany starts, Boris Herrmann cancels

Under the leadership of skipper Robert Stanjek, the team will compete with other professional teams from the international offshore scene from the Imoca and VO65 classes. The starting signal for the three-stage race to Genoa/Italy will be given on 29 May off Lorient/France. The race is the start of team sailing for the currently leading offshore class, the Imoca Open 60, and the next highlight in the regatta calendar after the conclusion of the Vendée Globe. At the same time, the TOR Europe is something of a dress rehearsal for the TOR in stages around the world planned for 2022, the successor event to the Whitbread Round the World Race and later the Volvo Ocean Race. If the German team succeeds, it will be the first time in 20 years since the legendary victory of the "illbruck" that a German team has competed in this unofficial ocean sailing championship.

"I'm delighted that it's actually happening now and that it's finally starting," says Robert Stanjek, who switched to ocean sailing after his participation in the 2012 Olympics in the Star boat (sixth place with Fritjof Kleen) and is now facing the biggest challenge of his second sailing career. "For me, the significance of The Ocean Race is on a par with the Olympics. And the preparations are similar in scale to a complete Olympic campaign - even if the tasks are much more varied."

Almost nine years after the Olympics, Robert Stanjek's hopes have been fulfilled: "The Ocean Race is my big dream and taking part in the first edition of The Ocean Race Europe is a fantastic opportunity. We are well aware that we are the rookie team. But we will give it our all and give the others a tough competition."

For OTG team manager Jens Kuphal, sending the entry to The Ocean Race relieved the tension after years of work: "What a great moment. We started working on this project five years ago. But in 2020, the year of the pandemic, we also had to realise that the development of a project like this doesn't always depend on you alone. So we are all the happier that it will now actually be launched."

The OTG bought the ex-"Acciona", which had taken part in the Vendée Globe 2012/13, and extensively rebuilt it (the YACHT was on board, see video at the end). Taking part in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 was the first test for the team.

The Vendée Globe and, above all, Boris Herrmann's great success have given offshore sailing in Germany a real boost in terms of sport and the media, which is now to be utilised. "Of course we are aware of the increased attention due to the Vendée. But there's no denying that the coronavirus pandemic hasn't made it any easier to attract sponsors," says Michael End, CEO of Offshore Team Germany. "Of course, we will also be missing the opportunities to experience the race, the spectators and the hospitality. But we also see the European race as a great opportunity to get a feel for the world race next year."

In addition to the two Germans Robert Stanjek and Phillip Kasüske, the crew will also include international sailors. Two-time British circumnavigator Annie Lush brings ocean racing experience to the team, while the position of navigator has not yet been announced.

After the transfer of the "Einstein", as the OTG boat is called, from England to France, intensive training sessions are planned for the team in the Bay of Biscay before the actual preparation for the race begins. "The situation doesn't give us much time. We have done our homework up to this point, but we still need to scrutinise the boat after the long rest period and the technical inspection at the beginning of this year. After that, we will gain more miles and important experience in the new crew constellation. With only four sailors on board, a good watch system will be particularly important. This still needs to be tested. In any case, it will certainly be very exciting for the other teams too. After all, it is the first sporting encounter between the Imoca and Ocean Race worlds. Many eyes will be on it," says Robert Stanjek. Despite his Olympic career, the 39-year-old Berliner is extremely excited: "It's our first appearance in the Champions League of offshore sailing!"

The YACHT on board the Offshore Team Germany

Boris Herrmann also had ambitions to take part, but has now cancelled. His boat is for sale - he "simply doesn't have a boat at the moment". Instead, his preparations for planning the next Vendée Globe campaign are in full swing.