641.13 nautical miles in 24 hours! With this achievement, Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia have set a marvellous world record on leg five of the Ocean Race. Less than 24 hours after the new record was set by "Holcim - PRB" with 640.91 nautical miles, the Malizians were able to increase the distance even further. In the process, "Malizia - Seaexplorer" raced across the North Atlantic at an average speed of 26.71 knots.
Planning a 24-hour record is very, very difficult. Almost impossible, I would say." (Boris Herrmann)
Just two days earlier, it was the record of the centipede "Comanche", which monohull yachts on all the world's oceans had been chasing in vain since 2015. 618.01 nautical miles seemed hard to beat. Now the best Imoca teams in the Ocean Race have managed it several times. Most recently Team Malizia, the reigning record holders. Boris Herrmann, Yann Eliès, Will Harris and Rosalin Kuiper waited patiently after their exceptional performance on the night of 27 May until the race committee confirmed the record distance. It still has to be officially ratified by the World Sailing Speed Racing Council (WSSR).
After the confirmation from the Ocean Race centre, the sailing quartet and on-board reporter Antoine Auriol indulged in a short dance of joy. Clenching their fists and cheering loudly, the Malizians celebrated their success on course for Aarhus. Boris Herrmann told YACHT online: "A 24-hour record is very, very difficult to plan. Almost impossible, I would say. I tried for years with Giovanni Soldini, but we didn't manage it. Now it worked out. But so close that it's really cool. It's unique! I'm very happy about this record - and let's keep going!"
The three-way battle for the maximum stage points continues
Team Malizia continues to put the pedal to the metal. Two days before the anticipated stage finale in the Bay of Aarhus, Team Malizia has made up ground in the battle for maximum points on the double-rated 3,500 nautical mile leg from Newport to the Danish sailing town of Aarhus. At 8 a.m. German time on Saturday morning, the US team 11th Hour Racing led by eight nautical miles ahead of Team Holcim - PRB.
The Americans are also doing an exceptional job at the front, as they can only operate with three players after their collision while Charlie Dalin recovers from his slight concussion. Team Malizia was recently able to reduce its deficit from more than 80 to 28 nautical miles in less than two days with its record-breaking run. In the final - probably on Whit Monday - there could still be a battle in the doldrums off Aarhus. Boris Herrmann said: "Now the three-way battle continues here. We'll jibe up and down off the Scottish coast. And see what comes of it."
