Boris Herrmann braces for a rough week ahead as the Southern Ocean shows its might. Currently navigating the stretch between New Zealand and Australia, Boris is positioned just ahead of Justine Mettraux and trailing behind Yannick Bestaven and Paul Meilhat. This proximity to competitors is crucial, as even small positional differences significantly impact the sailing conditions each skipper faces.

Storms Set to Test the Fleet - Day 36 - Vendée Globe

A tidy cockpit is a tidy mind.

Go get them, Boris!

Day 35 and the high pressure system is doing what it said it would: compressing the pack! Boris is nearing the competitors ahead and will hopefully close in on them by nightfall (Australien or European nightfall...whatever he chooses!)

Bears, Mangroves and Miles - Day 35 -  Vendée Globe

Bears, Mangroves and Miles - Day 35 - Vendee Globe

Climate Action Now is not written on our sails for aesthetic reasons. There is a clear message here. 

Free for use: the posters created for students focus on environmental topics and can be borrowed for free and brought to schools for temporary exhibitions. 

Pictures from the joint Clean Up Day and their new shared partnership logo - obviously including the SDG ring!

In a world where climate change is often seen as an overwhelming, distant challenge, it's easy to assume that someone else will take the lead. But as the old story goes, when Everybody assumes Somebody else will act, Nothing gets done. This is where the story of Max-Planck-Schule Kiel and their collaboration with schools in Mati, Philippines, offers a powerful lesson. 

Schools Are Taking Climate Action Now - What Are You Waiting For? 

Chili Vegetation in Mahara Maximum Security Prison.

Press conference on South Korea’s Constitutional Court’s final ruling on the Korean climate litigation case

Hope fuels us to face challenges - on land and at sea. To create a platform for good news to balance out the bad news stories flooding the headlines, Team Malizia and the Superredaktion are sharing positive news stories every day with Boris onboard the Malizia - Seaexplorer. At the end of every week you can find a compilation of uplifting news here!

Climate Hope Week 5

Nearly half-way! Go, Boris, GO! 

A small seedling taking root in the Malizia Mangrove Park

Hi everyone,
Sending you greetings from the middle of the Australian night.
It’s very dark and in only a few hours I’ll have the blue morning light coming up.
One big sail change soon.
It feels like movement on the chess field after a long steady section.
Only 80 miles to the winner of the last Vendee.
And other good news:
We had been second fastest Indian Ocean crossing (cape to cape).
Early in the week we’ll have a big storm.
Only 13-14 days to the horn. Amazing how quick it goes. Time can be so relative
Have a great weekend!

With the fleet stretched out over more than 4,500 miles, no boat is facing the same winds. While clever navigation is crucial, a bit of luck always plays a part. With the winds set to compress the pack that Boris is currently sailing in, the rankings could shift in The Malizia - Seaexplorer’s favor!

Reshuffling The Ranking? - Day 34 - Vendée Globe

Every two months, Team Malizia creates a newsletter for children to stay up to date with the boat and its adventures, learn about a science topic, and engage with fun creative tasks. But wait, haven’t we already released a newsletter this month? Yes, we have! That’s why this is the "Vendée Globe Special"—to make sure that if you haven’t caught the Vendée Globe fever yet, you definitely will now!

Vendée Globe Special: Kids Newsletter 12

Vendée Globe Special Kids Newsletter

Lunch break on board Malizia - Seaexplorer for Boris Herrmann, enjoying a hearty serving of Vegan Tandoori Quinoa

Another day at sea for Boris Herrmann as he navigates through a light wind zone. Currently holding 10th position in the Vendée Globe, he’s focused on finding stronger winds to maintain momentum and close the gap with the leaders. Stay tuned to see if the breeze returns soon and propels him forward in this iconic solo race around the world.

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

Calm Seas and Shifting Winds - Day 33 - Vendée Globe

The Norwegian Arctic: a hotspot for climate change. 

Sea ice melt ponds. White surfaces reflect more heat than dark surfaces.

A collapsed block of ice-rich permafrost along Drew Point, Alaska.

Taken from the back of the boat in the Southern Ocean during the third leg of The Ocean Race 2023.

The Ocean Pack that allows us to measure accurate Ocean data which is then transmitted via satellite to climate scientists.  

As we obsessively look at the race tracker, watch as the pictogram of the Malizia - Seaexplorer edges forward every few hours and see this race digitally unfold, it's important to remember that the very place our skipper Boris Herrmann is sailing through is not just a distant, digital map. The Ocean and polar regions he traverses are crucial to the health of our planet. While many of us may never experience these wild, untouched landscapes firsthand, our actions have well and truly already made an impact on these environments already.

Not So Much Ice, Ice Baby Anymore - The South And North Pole

The Vendée Globe is renowned for its simple yet iconic race rules: sail around the world's legendary capes. Today, Boris Herrmann is rounding Cape Leeuwin, marking a major milestone in his journey. This key moment represents a significant turning point in the race, and all eyes are on how the day will unfold for Boris.

Cape Leeuwin in sight

Cape Leeuwin in Sight - Day 32 - Vendée Globe

This Thursday afternoon, Boris Herrmann crossed the longitude of Cape Leeuwin at 16:22 UTC after 32 days, 4 hours, 20 minutes, and 54 seconds of racing in his second Vendée Globe. Having passed the second of the race's three major capes in 10th place, the Team Malizia skipper celebrates this milestone while keeping his sights set on reaching his favorite cape, Cape Horn, by January 1st.

Southern Ocean impressions from onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann Passes Cape Leeuwin In Vendée Globe

Team Malizia built the new Malizia - Seaexplorer yacht, launched in July 2022, incorporating Boris Herrmann's insights from his time in the Southern Ocean.

Boris Herrmann in the cockpit of his high-tech IMOCA racing yacht Malizia - Seaexplorer

Boris Herrmann is sailing aboard a racing vessel meticulously designed for these extremes, where success depends not only on skill and resilience but also on relentless innovation in design and technology.

Over the past two decades, one of the most groundbreaking innovations has been the introduction of foils which lift the boat out of the water, allowing it to "fly" and increase the speed in most conditions.

For teams like ours, competing in the world’s most prestigious events like the Vendée Globe or The Ocean Race, success is determined not just by skill and experience, but by constant innovation and optimisation of our racing yachts.

As its 38 competitors navigate the challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean, the Vendée Globe showcases the pinnacle of offshore sailing on cutting-edge IMOCA yachts. Boris Herrmann is sailing aboard a racing vessel meticulously designed for these extremes, where success depends not only on skill and resilience but also on relentless innovation in design and technology.

Malizia - Seaexplorer, a high-tech racing yacht

Pushing the Limits of Innovation: Optimising Performance in Offshore Sailing

The shaver broke down but BorisGyver repaired it

Smooth start to the day for Boris Herrmann with sunny and calm conditions as he continues to race in 10th position, working hard to catch up with the leading pack. Our skipper, now far ahead of us in terms of daylight, decided to shave his beard, but it didn’t go exactly as planned…

Just Another Day at Sea - Day 31 - Vendée Globe

40% Down, 60% to Go

Today marks one month at sea for Boris Herrmann since the start of the Vendée Globe. Currently holding 10th position, he’s steadily gaining ground on the competitor ahead in 9th place. While a month at sea is a notable milestone, there’s still a long way to go with only 40% of the race completed so far. Stay tuned for more updates as Boris continues his push towards the front of the fleet!

40% Down, 60% to Go - Day 30 - Vendée Globe

Another day starts in the Indian Ocean for Boris Herrmann as he sails his 29th day on the Vendée Globe. Last night, by overtaking Justine Mettraux, Boris made it to the top ten! His next goal is now the top 5… 

Welcome To The Top 10 - Day 29 - Vendée Globe

The seven new species of frogs found in Madagascar have been named after the most iconic captains from the sci-fi-series Star Trek due to their distinct call! 

Today marks the end of the first week of the only full month the Vendée Globe fleet will spend at sea. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope off South Africa, the fleet is now navigating the challenges of the treacherous Southern Ocean.  Despite facing technical troubles this week, Boris Herrmann knows that staying positive is key. To support this, Team Malizia has teamed up with Superredaktion to share good news from nearby regions along his journey.

Climate Hope Week 4

Boris enjoying his morning pancake brunch. Samantha Davies, fellow competitor, is also enjoying pancakes aboard her boat!

With maple gifted by teammate Jesse. 

Goodbye sunshine, see you tomorrow! 

Boris has summer on the inside

Sun and speed to keep spirits high!

It’s the second Sunday of Advent, and Boris is busy in the kitchen and performing his first sail change whilst entering the Indian Ocean—you can’t race on an empty stomach! Treating himself to pancakes with maple syrup, he stays competitive, hoping a low-pressure system behind will propel him and the pack toward the east.

Sunday Pancakes And Proximity Sailing - Day 28 - Vendée Globe

Photo taken on day 4 during Leg 3 of The Ocean Race showing an Albatross flying around the Malizia - Seaexplorer.
02/03/23

Photo taken on day 4 during the Leg 3 of The Ocean Race showing an albatross flying around the Malizia - Seaexplorer.
01/03/23




It's no coincidence that we often refer to two people in love as "love birds"—around 90% of bird species live monogamously, forming some of the most loyal partnerships in the animal kingdom. However, rising global temperatures are creating unexpected challenges for one of the most iconic monogamous birds: the majestic albatross. This is the story of how global warming is affecting the love lives of these seabirds, putting their relationships metaphorically and literally in hot water.

Romantic Troubles? Try Being a Hungry Albatross Divorced by Climate Change

So much achieved, still so far to go. Seeing that only 34.9% of the race has been sailed so far, the whole playing field seems still open!

As the first week of the fleet’s only full month at sea draws to a close, the journey has been anything but straightforward. Strategic decisions have shaped the course of the race, with skippers navigating an array of challenges, including a brewing storm that is testing their resilience and skill.

A Storm Is Brewing - Day 27 - Vendée Globe

Antarctica, between global warming, exploitation, and hope

Leopard seal on an iceberg, Borgen Bay, Anvers Island, Western Antarctic Peninsula

Southern Ocean impressions from onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during The Ocean Race 2022-2023

Diver under the ice, Anvers Island, Antarctica

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in the Vendée Globe, near the Crozet Islands on Day 26 of the race and observing the surrounding albatrosses

Antarctic landscape, Brown Station

Adélie penguin, Antarctica

Situated at the southernmost point of our planet, Antarctica is a vast, icy expanse of near-total solitude. Visited only by a few dedicated scientists and rounded every now and then by a fleet of IMOCA sailors, this frozen continent and its surrounding Southern Ocean play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. Yet, it often goes overlooked by some and is exploited by others. As Boris Herrmann navigates its icy waters, we explore the pressing challenges facing Antarctica.

King penguins and Antarctic fur seal pups on the island of South Georgia. Salisbury Plaine, South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Antarctica, Between Global Warming, Exploitation, And Hope

Boris celebrating Nikolaus onboard

This morning Boris Herrmann wishes us a good Nikolaus Day as he is racing at 27 knots in a bumpy sea. Typical Southern Ocean conditions as he is sailing near the Crozet Islands. The mission of the day is to catch up with Justine! 

Happy (Bumpy) Nikolaus Day - Day 26 - Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Malizia Seaexplorer sailing in 40 knots of wind

Technical Team making sure Malizia Seaexplorer is ready

Racing offshore, particularly in the solo round-the-world Vendée Globe race, presents unique challenges, blending high performance with extreme conditions. Read on to delve deeper into the world of risk management in offshore sailing. 

Risk Management in Offshore Sailing: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail!

Risk Management in Offshore Sailing: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail

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Boris Herrmann

We compete on the highest level in the toughest races, inspire action & create awareness and highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

As Boris sails around the globe, we’re reminded of how vast and connected the community of sailors, Ocean lovers and climate action enthusiasts truly is. Every day, we’re inspired by hundreds of messages from supporters across the world - each one a testament to the global impact of this journey. 

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