Holly Cova, Team Director of Team Malizia

Will Harris our co-skipper climbing up the mast

Will Harris our co-skipper working with Boris Herrmann

Getting the spair ready for Vendée Globe

Paméla Fertil, in charge of the technical logistics

Helene Katz our Head of Communications

As we gear up for the Vendée Globe, Team Malizia is in full swing, preparing for what will be the ultimate test of endurance, skill, and reliability. While our skipper Boris Herrmann will be sailing solo around the globe, the saying that "80% of the race is won on land" has never felt more true. Behind the scenes, our team is working tirelessly to ensure everything is ready for this epic adventure.

D-36 The team is steaming ahead on all fronts

An enormous football stadium filled with around five hundred excited children, tons of sports, activities, and a dash of science — sounds familiar, right? For the third consecutive year, which officially marks it as a tradition, Team Malizia partnered with Zurich Group Germany to host their annual Sports and Climate Event at SC Viktoria Cologne's football stadium. 

500 Kids in the Race for Climate Action

Getting the Ball Rolling: Team Malizia and Zurich Inspire Kids for Climate Action

This episode is all about racing! Welcome onboard Malizia Seaexplorer during the Défi Azimut which is the final race before the Vendée Globe. Boris Herrmann is back in action, facing off against the IMOCA fleet in this last showdown just two months before the big event.   Cole Brauer is onboard a watchkeeper and Antoine Auriol as onboard reporter. 

Last Race - Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe #4

Malizia - Seaexplorer at the finish line of the Défi Azimut 2024 in Lorient

Laser focussed Boris Herrmann onboard his IMOCA racing yacht

Malizia - Seaexplorer with her spinnaker designed by New York artist Sarah Morris

Skipper Boris Herrmann, watch keeper Cole Brauer, and onboard reporter Antoine Auriol at the arrival of the Défi Azimut 48h race

Light winds and beautiful sunset in the Bay of Biscay during the 48h race of the Défi Azimut

Boris Herrmann finished tenth in the Défi Azimut 48h race this Saturday, using the final race before the Vendée Globe as key preparation for the upcoming round-the-world challenge.

Boris Herrmann is ready for the Vendée Globe

“We Are Ready ”- Boris Herrmann Finishes Défi Azimut Looking Forward To The Vendée Globe 

“We Are Ready ”- Boris Herrmann Finishes The Défi Azimut 48h Race Looking Forward To The Vendée Globe 

Malizia Seaexplorer flying during the 48 hours race

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Sunrise onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Cole Brauer onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

We’re excited to share a glimpse of the action from aboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during the first 24 hours of the Défi 48 Hours.

Défi 48 Hours: Exclusive Onboard Photos

Défi 48h Onboard Photos

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer just after the start

The IMOCA fleet at the start of the 2024 Défi Azimut 48h race

Malizia - Seaexplorer skippered by Boris Herrmann was off to a great start

American sailor Cole Brauer is watch keeper during this "fake solo" race

Boris Herrmann in the front pack at the start of the Défi Azimut

After passing the island of Groix to port, the IMOCA fleet is heading south

He is racing in the Atlantic again: Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann took the start of the Défi Azimut 48h race today in fantastic foiling conditions. Like many of his 18 competitors, the Malizia - Seaexplorer skipper is sailing in “fake solo” mode, with USA sailor Cole Brauer as watch keeper and Antoine Auriol as onboard reporter, in this last race before the Vendée Globe.

Boris Herrmann and his Malizia - Seaexplorer are off to a flying start in the Défi Azimut 48h rac

Défi Azimut: Boris Herrmann Off To A Flying Start

Défi Azimut: Boris Herrmann Off To A Flying Start In Final Race Before Vendée Globe

Malizia - Seaexplorer during the Défi Azimut speed runs

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer this Wednesday

Antoine Auriol is back as our onboard reporter this week!

Cole Brauer and Will Harris sailing onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Lift off!

Malizia - Seaexplorer flying this afternoon offshore Lorient during the Défi Azimut speed runs

During the Défi Azimut’s speed runs, the IMOCA boat aim to go as fast as possible, in a straight line, in order to set a reference time. It's the perfect opportunity to see them reach breakneck speeds. And with today’s perfect conditions, the spectacle was guaranteed! Enjoy some of our favorite photos from the day.

Our Favorite Photos From The Défi Azimut Speed Runs

Wheeling mode into the finish for Malizia - Seaexplorer

The 14th edition of the Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération is almost here, kicking off the return to competition before the grand finale of the year, the Vendée Globe. From 10th to 15th September 2024, Lorient La Base will be buzzing with the thrill of offshore racing as the top IMOCA skippers gather for this unique event. Expect a spectacular showdown as we go head-to-head with the other IMOCA teams in the final warm-up.  Excitement is building—get ready to follow every moment of the action!

How To Follow The Défi Azimut 2024

In this episode, it's all about team spirit! Preparing for a solo challenge like the Vendée Globe takes a whole crew, and our team's strength is our biggest asset. As we reunite for the Défi Azimut in Lorient, Antoine Auriol, our Fly Captain, is here to check in on the team’s energy just two months before the big race. 

In this episode, it's all about team spirit!

All Together - Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe #3

In this exciting new episode, Boris Herrmann is back on the water, training with the IMOCA fleet! This is a crucial moment for fine-tuning and optimizing our performance as we edge closer to the Vendée Globe.

Pôle Finistère Training - Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe 🛣️ ➡️ 🌍

Pôle Finistère Training - Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe #2

Welcome to "Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe" a thrilling vlog series that takes you behind the scenes of one of the most challenging solo sailing races in the world.  Team Malizia is proud to open the doors to our intense preparation process for Boris Herrmann’s solo challenge as we gear up for the legendary Vendée Globe.

"Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe" is a thrilling vlog series that takes you behind the scenes of one of the most challenging solo sailing races in the world.  Team Malizia is proud to open the doors to our intense preparation process for Boris Herrmann’s solo challenge as we gear up for the legendary Vendée Globe.

Welcome to "Malizia’s Road To The Vendée Globe"

Malizia Seaexplorer launch after the summer refit in Lorient

Our rigging team working onboard.

Rebecca & Jesse plugging the foils in

Those that have been following our team over the years know: Summers in the offshore sailing community do not really rhyme with holidays but rather with intense refits! But what did the technical team work on until they re-launched the boat yesterday in Lorient, Brittany?

Ready to tackle the final stretch before the Vendée Globe

Team Malizia is back refreshed and ready to tackle the final stretch before the Vendée Globe. Mark your calendars, the next weeks are going to be busy!

Mark Your Calendars: We're Back! 

Boris Herrmann at the finish of the Vendée Globe 2020

Boris Herrmann bereitet sich auf seine zweite Vendée Globe vor, eine Segel-Regatta alleine und nonstop um die Welt. Segeln am Limit

Boris Herrmann bereitet sich auf seine zweite Vendée Globe vor, eine Segel-Regatta alleine und nonstop um die Welt.

New Docu: Boris Herrmann – Segeln am Limit

120 days to go to the start of the Vendée Globe.   Boris Herrmann will take the start of his second Vendée Globe.  Are you ready for more?  MORE RACING, MORE OCEAN DATA, MORE CLIMATE ACTION, MORE STORIES?  BE PART OF THE ADVENTURE - STARTING ON 10TH NOVEMBER

Vendée Globe 2024 - Back For More...

Vendée Globe 2024 - Back For More

The 40 skippers at the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe race

The Vendée Globe race course

It’s official! The list of the 40 participants for the upcoming Vendée Globe was revealed earlier this afternoon. Although our skipper Boris Herrmann had already confirmed his qualification and was selected under the new boat expectation rule, the full list of selected participants was still pending. As of today, we officially know who Boris Herrmann’s 39 competitors are.

Boris Herrmann will take part in his second Vendée Globe this year

Vendée Globe 2024: The List of The 40 Participants Unveiled

Every six to eight weeks, we publish a new My Ocean Challenge kids newsletter in English, German, and French featuring topics ranging from sailing updates and educational videos to articles on Ocean and climate topics. You will be able to get an even closer insight into Team Malizia, learn fascinating things about our environment, and get to do fun activities! Enjoy the read!

My Ocean Challenge Newsletter 10 - Bivalves and Seagrass! 

Bivalves and Seagrass - Newsletter 10 

Team Malizia and The Ocean and Us are partnering to protect the High Seas

Team Malizia and The Ocean and Us have been working together several times over the past year, including in New York this spring

Boris Herrmann (left) and Farah Obaidullah (fourth from the left) at the Malizia panel debate in New York on the urgency to protect the High Seas this 23rd May

The non-profit organisation The Ocean and Us has partnered with the professional offshore sailing Team Malizia to rally support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining and secure the protection of the High Seas, our global commons.

Team Malizia carries its A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! slogan on its sails and measures valuable Ocean data to help further research as they race around the world

The non-profit organisation The Ocean and Us has partnered with us, a professional offshore sailing, to rally support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining and secure the protection of the High Seas, our global commons.

Team Malizia Partners With The Ocean and Us to Protect the High Seas

Mangroves grow partially in the air, partially in the water, typically along coastlines in tropical and subtropical regions near the Equator

Mangrove forests are ecosystems with astonishing powers: They serve as nature’s coastal guardian and capture very large amounts of carbon dioxide. However, they are also under threat. By teaming up and creating the Malizia Mangrove Park, Team Malizia is actively working to turn the tide, protect mangrove forests, and positively impact climate change.

The Malizia Mangrove Park

About the Malizia Mangrove Park

Boris Herrmann at the German Ocean Award (Deutscher Meerespreis) ceremony on 19 June 2024

Boris Herrmann with the Ocean Pack onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Boris Herrmann and Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann created the My Ocean Challenge educational programme in 2018

Boris Herrmann (middle) ist Träger des Deutschen Meerespreises 2024. Es gratulieren (von links nach rechts): Dr. Christian Zöllner, stellvertretender Vorsitzender und Geschäftsführer der Prof. Dr. Werner-Petersen-Stiftung,  GEOMAR-Direktorin Professorin Dr. Katja Matthes, Daniel Günther, Ministerpräsident des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, und Dr. h. c. Klaus-Jürgen Wichmann, Vorsitzender der Prof. Dr. Werner-Petersen-Stiftung. Foto: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR

Boris Herrmann with a drifter buoy that he deployed in Leg 3 of The Ocean Race

A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! - our mission slogan is painted on the sails of our Malizia - Seaexplorer racing yacht

The German professional sailor Boris Herrmann has received the “Deutscher Meerespreis” (German Ocean Award) of the Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation in recognition of his engagement as an ambassador for the Ocean and for communicating marine research topics to the general public. The prize was awarded today jointly with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel under the patronage of Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, at a ceremony with invited guests.

Boris Herrmann received the German Ocean Award 2024 at Geomar in Kiel on 19 June 2024

Boris Herrmann Receives The German Ocean Award 2024

Boris Herrmann Receives The German Ocean Award

Boris Herrmann at the finish line of the New York Vendée

Boris Herrmann finished the New York Vendée in second place

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in the iconic channel of Les Sables d'Olonne

Team Malizia's skipper Boris Herrmann

Boris Herrmann and Charlie Dalin

Boris Herrmann with fans on the dock in Les Sables d'Olonne, shortly after the arrival

It has been a race full of emotions, decisions, and excitement: This Sunday afternoon, the Team Malizia skipper crossed the finish line of the New York Vendée in second place, achieving consecutive second place finishes in this year’s transatlantic solo challenges, and final test before the Vendée Globe at the end of the year.

Back-to-back second place finishes for Boris Herrmann in transatlantic showdowns

“I’m Looking Forward To The Vendée Globe” - Boris Herrmann Achieves Back-To-Back Second Place Finishes

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