offshore sailing
Herrmann’s stage victory in the Ocean Race final: “Super cool”
Boris Herrmann and the Malizia team are sailing towards the goal of their ocean race premiere. photo
© Loic Venance/AP/dpa
Boris Herrmann celebrated another prestigious success with the Malizia team at the end of the Ocean Race in Genoa. After almost 100 days at sea, his conclusion is not only positive for this reason.
After 32,000 nautical miles on the seven seas Boris Herrmann bathing voluntarily with his team Malizia. With victory in the seventh and last stage of the 14th Ocean Race, the crew around the circumnavigator from Hamburg experienced a brilliant conclusion.
Together, the members jumped off board the “Malizia – Seaexplorer” into the Ligurian Sea off Genoa. “There was tension until the end, but now it’s done. Super cool,” said 42-year-old Herrmann. On the route from The Hague to the Italian port of Genoa, he and his team defeated Team Biotherm and Team Holcim-PRB in light wind poker in 11 days, 19 hours, 2 minutes and 51 seconds. The success was a small satisfaction for Herrmann: It was a little surprising that “Malizia – Seaexplorer” had prevailed in the showdown. The boat had so far impressed, especially in strong winds.
“It was a great team experience”
The final hours before reaching the finish line in Genoa had become a game of patience for the Ocean Race fleet, which had shrunk to three boats. The teams languished towards Genoa in a completely different way than on the often stormy six stages. It was the quiet end after almost 100 days of battling natural forces, storms and waves.
The second stage victory did not change anything for the Malizia team in third place in the overall standings. Due to the collision between Team Guyot and the US team 11th Hour Racing, the jury will decide on the final occupation of the Ocean Race podium on Thursday in Genoa after hearing all teams.
Herrmann therefore took stock even before the finish line. And it turned out positive. Although he was not victorious, he was very satisfied. “It was a great team experience. We harmonized very well and didn’t make a lot of mistakes,” said Herrmann. The Cape Horn royal stage from Cape Town to Itajá will remain unforgotten for the South Sea lover.
Imoca yachts were used for the first time
“I have long dreamed of participating in the Ocean Race and completing this historically longest, unbelievable stage through the Southern Ocean,” said Herrmann. “The crowning glory was that after all the difficulties we had at the beginning, we were not only able to finish it, but also to win it.”
Despite a crack at the top of the mast and a daring repair operation at a height of 28 meters at sea, his team ultimately came out on top. Shortly before the finish, crew member Rosalin Kuiper was also injured. The only woman in the Ocean Race fleet to complete all stages had fallen off her bunk.
Imoca yachts were used for the first time in this edition of the round-the-world regatta. Herrmann certifies that the boats, which are up to 18 meters long, have a promising future in the Ocean Race. Five boats formed the starting field. “The Imocas are here to stay. They have proven themselves. There were almost no negative surprises,” said the five-time circumnavigator.
Hermann: Another ocean race campaign imaginable
Herrmann describes the boat “Malizia – Seaexplorer”, which, after further regattas in 2024/25 with the Vendée Globe, is to carry him solo and non-stop around the world again, as “good”: “We still haven’t quite understood how we do everything can do perfectly because you learn a long time with a new boat. But the ship is also good in light winds, no heavier than the others.” Herrmann sees himself well prepared for his second Vendée Globe launch: “Honestly, I wouldn’t even consider starting with any of the other ships at the Vendée Globe.”
The family man can also very well imagine another ocean race campaign: “We would like to be there again. We cannot announce an official campaign yet, but I would draw the cautious interim conclusion that we are very, very likely highly motivated will work to start again.”
The 15th Ocean Race will take place in 2026/27. It is to be expected that the number of participants could double by then in reliable alternation with the one-handed adventure Vendée Globe for the Ocean Race. In addition, Kiel could be added as a new stage port after the successful fly-by. Herrmann’s verdict: “Kiel is predestined for it.”
For the battered “Guyot” co-skipper Robert Stanjek, the flying visit to Kiel in early June in front of thousands of spectators was definitely the best memory of the Ocean Race. “That’s the i-point of the race,” said the Berliner at the time. Unlike Herrmann, he did not see the entrance to Genoa after his collision with 11th Hour Racing shortly after the start of the seventh stage.