Well rested and in high spirits, Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia put their Imoca back in the water in Lorient after a six-week refit. 413 days after her christening on 19 July 2022, "Malizia - Seaexplorer" was put back into service with a few new features. During the one and a half months of work, which Boris Herrmann used to take time out with his family and recover from the Ocean Race, the boat was restored to top condition.
More comfort, more overview and intensive training ahead
The programme included more than just repairing signs of wear and tear. The tech team has already made modifications with a view to Boris Herrmann racing solo at the Vendée Globe 2024/2025. They say that nothing significant has changed. Nevertheless, interesting new features have been incorporated. For example, there is a new seat for the skipper, which has been adapted to Boris Herrmann's body measurements. From here, the five-time circumnavigator can navigate during the Vendée Globe and keep an eye out at the same time.
To make sleeping easier in future, there is now only one berth that is used for this purpose - regardless of which bow the boat is sailing on. In addition, a new kitchenette has been installed in the rear cockpit next to the navigation station so that the solo sailor can sail and cook at the same time without having to move back and forth. The skipper likes what he sees. Back in France, Boris Herrmann said: "It's nice to be back in Lorient after having the summer off. After such a full and intense year, I needed the time off. Now I'm looking forward to being back and getting back into training."
We know our boat very well now, but it will be interesting to compare it with the other Imocas that didn't take part in the Ocean Race." Boris Herrmann
Boris Herrmann is curious about the potency of those racing teams that have built new boats but did not take part in the team race around the world. He said: "We know our boat very well now, but it will be interesting to compare it with the other Imocas that didn't take part in the Ocean Race. We have made a few changes, which are mainly ergonomic, and a few minor performance changes."
As often mentioned in the Ocean Race, Boris Herrmann said again: "I will miss sailing with the team. But it will be good to do some single-handed and double-handed drills with Will over the next few months and say hello to our fans and partners who can continue to accompany the adventure."
The Ocean Race foils will remain for the time being, options for the Vendée Globe are being examined
The refit programme will now be followed by two weeks of concentrated training, during which Boris Herrmann and Will Harris will test "Malizia - Seaexplorer" down to the last detail and also get themselves back up to speed. The foils procured at short notice for the Ocean Race will remain for the time being. The team is still reviewing its options with a view to the Vendée Globe.
The next race, the Défi Azimut, is just two and a half weeks away on 21 September. The gruelling 48-hour two-handed test is an important test for crew and boat, and not just for Team Malizia, as it is the first time that all the top boats in the fleet will meet. Although Team Malizia has been able to further develop its boat in the race around the world over six months, the tension is now rising ahead of the showdown with the boats of the latest Imoca generation.
Comeback for "Fly Captain" Antoine Auriol
There will also be a reunion in the Défi Azimut with "Fly Captain" Antoine Auriol, who will once again accompany the Herrmann/Harris duo as on-board reporter and document the sprint. Co-skipper Will Harris, who was awarded the prize for the best first-time participant in the Ocean Race, is also looking forward to the restart: "I'm ready to get back on the water and test the boat against the entire fleet. We learnt so much in the Ocean Race and developed a strong, reliable race boat that we want to perfect even further for Boris' Vendée Globe in just over a year's time."
The long racing year will continue from 29 October with the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre Le Havre Normandie. Challengers in the Ultime, Ocean Fifty, Imoca and Class 40 classes will take part in the double-handed Transat. Boris Herrmann is one of five German sailors who have entered so far.
Five Germans in the Transat Jacques Vabre
In addition to the prominent "Malizia - Seaexplorer" skipper Boris Herrmann, the Munich-born German-French Isabell Joschke on her "Macsf" with Pierre Brasseur and, for the first time, Andreas Baden from Kiel alongside Fabrice Amedeo on "Nexans - Art & Fênetres" will be in the Imoca field.
The two young professionals Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink on "Sign for Com" in the Class 40 are looking forward to their premiere in the 16th Transat Jacques Vabre. A total of 534 sailors have taken part in the classic race since 1993. Another 200 are eagerly awaiting the 30th anniversary this year.
Click here for a preview of the Transat Jacques Vabre:
Book tip: "Boris Herrmann and the race around the world - With Team Malizia in the Ocean Race"
The next sailing adventure for Boris Herrmann after his success in the Vendée Globe
With this illustrated text book, you will be up close and personal: at the christening of the new high-tech yacht Malizia Seaexplorer, at the first tests of the racing projectile, at the growing together of the team, at all the highs and lows of the prestigious sailing race around the world! In addition to spectacular sailing pictures from the race and directly from on board, the official Ocean Race book also contains a personal foreword by Boris Herrmann.
