Vendée Globe: What Boris Herrmann packs in his duffel bag - Part 1: Clothing
Jochen Rieker
· 03.11.2020
There are many stories circulating about the equipment used by professional skippers. Some of them are quite true. For example, many deep-sea sailors used to deny themselves any comfort for weight reasons: instead of metal cutlery, even today some still only take plastic spoons with them on their journey around the world.
Photos of toothbrushes with sawn-off handles or tools lightened by drilling holes are legendary. Why shouldn't those who choose wickedly expensive titanium for the railing supports in order to keep their boat as light as possible also skimp on personal items?
In fact, the soloists on the Vendée Globe do not take anything on board that has not undergone several inspection processes. Spare parts, tools, food, safety equipment - everything that needs to go on board is checked for practicality beforehand, weighed, sorted, sensibly packed in bags and stowed in predetermined places on the ship. Some items are actually discussed in the team for days.
Boris Herrmann's equipment alone adds up to ten bags: five for provisions, five for the rest. Two are always under his bunk upwind so that they remain dry and quickly accessible under all circumstances. The rest always goes where the weight makes the most sense: forwards in light winds, far to windward in windy conditions and aft in deep room sheets to avoid undercutting the stem.
The Hamburg native let YACHT online take a look at his personal packing list before the start - and also revealed why he treats himself to more than the bare minimum. One reason is his extensive experience in the Southern Ocean. Herrmann, who has already sailed around the world three times under racing conditions, twice non-stop, knows all about the sometimes miserably tough conditions along the ice edge. In order to maintain his performance, he does not want to skimp on warm clothing, for example. He has even installed a heater.
The fact that he is planning with reserves also has to do with the physics of his new, wide foils. They develop so much lift that weight plays less of a role than with previous Imoca generations. "What's upwind of the foils, practically everything, increases the righting moment," the 39-year-old revealed in the big YACHT interview ( YACHT 23-2020, order here! ). "A few extra kilos don't matter that much."
In part 1 of the series about the 39-year-old's equipment: to wear under and over - what Boris Herrmann uses to arm himself against heat and cold, storms and rain
1). For heavy weather
Why three sets of oilskins? Well, Guy Cotten'sTPS survival suit is already prescribed by the class rules. It's designed for emergencies such as capsizing or capsizing because it also provides buoyancy.
That leaves two Musto sets. These are primarily used for protection when working on deck. If the "Seaexplorer" crashes onto or into a wave at a speed of 20 or 30 knots, there is as much water as if the skipper were standing in front of a gigantic steam jet. That's why only the best is good enough here - and redundancy makes sense in case a set gets soaked.
Incidentally, the clothing is not provided by the British manufacturer itself, but by its German distributor: Peter Frisch GmbH. The Munich-based company, whose extensive programme also includes other well-known brands such as Harken and Spinlock, has been supporting Boris for 20 years now.
2) For leniency
Thanks to the almost completely covered cockpit, which can be closed aft with tarpaulin, there is normally hardly any need for protective functional clothing on board. Boris will therefore often not wear any oilskins in the cockpit or below deck, just this light jacket.
3) For the tropics
LPX Shorts with Spray top (Velcro on the neck)
The Imoca 60 is now as fast as the Orma trimarans were not so long ago. They cross climate zones in just a few days. The skipper will spend a good two to three weeks travelling around the world in the tropics, crossing the equator twice - which is why he needs these parts.
4) Against rain and spray
The reason for this large selection of headgear, apart from keeping warm: Boris attaches great importance to ensuring that his cane bunk always stays dry. "It's like an unwritten law: not a drop of water, anywhere!" To avoid having to slip into his otherwise dry sleeping bag with hair wet from the spray, he never goes "topless" on deck. And if he does get "showered" during a manoeuvre, he puts on a fleece hat before climbing back into the bunk - so that the pillow doesn't get soaked, which wouldn't dry again for days in the Southern Ocean.
5) To keep warm
Indispensable on the skin and as an intermediate layer - base and mid-layer for clothing based on the onion-skin principle
6) To feel good
Wool troyer, woollen mittens and socks
It will come as a surprise to many that the Hamburg native also favours traditional clothing. They are part of his feel-good range, which will also be discussed in the next two episodes of the three-part series. Boris wore them for the first time on his record-breaking journey through the North-East Passage: knitwear made in Russia that keeps you particularly warm and cosy at the same time.
7) For good footing and dry feet
Sea boots for every day when it can get cool and / or wet. Very light, very breathable, good grip.
Boris also has a pair of Le Chameau Neptune which almost all French offshore skippers wear. Thanks to the neoprene lining, they keep you warm even if water gets in.
Crocs Classic Clog
Instead of flip-flops and sandals - the shoe to have a good stance in the cockpit and below deck. Quick on, quick off, quick dry. Originally developed for cruising sailors, but professionals have long since discovered it for themselves. When it gets colder, you put it on over your socks. After all, no one will see it on the Vendée...
8) For all cases
Developed for the last Volvo Ocean Race and for use on the high seas - lifejacket with 275 Newton buoyancy and Hammar release. Essential for going to the foredeck in rough seas, as they are also used for fastening the safety harness to the spreader rope. Two of these are on board, one as a reserve - plus spare cartridges in case of incorrect release.
In episode 2: Which technical gadgets Boris Herrmann has in his pockets - and why his headlamp can't be bright enough for him: from Friday exclusively here on YACHT online!
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
