Today, December 1st, marks the beginning of the only full month the sailors will spend entirely at sea. While the leading pack has already passed the Cape of Good Hope, Boris is now steadily approaching it as well—and at impressive speeds!

Advent Sailing With Friends - Day 21 - Vendée Globe

Nigeria’s first climate cafe. 

As Boris nears the Cape of Good Hope, we’re following his journey with some much-needed good news. This week, we start in Togo, travel down the map of Africa and end in South Africa - showing that positive change is happening all around the world. 

Climate Hope Week 3

Morning from onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

In his latest update from onboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, Boris Herrmann shares the reality of a significant tactical shift as he sails southward, leaving behind the front that was once his driving force. 

Ready For A Day Of Light Wind - Day 19 - Vendée Globe

Despite their resilience, mangroves face growing challenges from climate change.

Often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs also protect coastal regions and are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.

Night operations on the Pine Gulch Fire in Colorado, 2020

Sea ice melt ponds in the Arctic Ocean

As Boris will soon navigate the Southern Ocean, we are reminded of the strength it takes to endure and adapt to challenges and the importance of ambitious climate action.

In the face of climate change, resilience has become a crucial lens through which we view ecosystems, communities, and individuals. Nature has evolved to adapt and recover over millennia, but as global temperatures rise and ecosystems are confronted with unprecedented stresses, resilience is being tested like never before. In this article, we explore how ecosystems like coral reefs and fire-prone forests show resilience to climate change and why safeguarding their adaptability is vital for the future of our planet.

Nature shows an extraordinary ability to resist, adapt and recover in the face of the impacts of climate change

Adapting To The Future: Nature’s Resilience In A Changing Climate

In the video call, Boris showed the children that Alfonso, his trusted sailing companion is onboard with him for their 6th circumnavigation

Hybrid My Ocean Challenge event in Großhansdorf, Germany, which Boris Herrmann live from the South Atlantic during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

More than 1000 interested children, teachers, and parents joined our hybrid My Ocean Challenge kids event on 27 November to learn about sailing, science and sustainability! With participants logging in from Norway, France, Germany and even the South Atlantic, this event was a huge success!

Hybrid My Ocean Challenge event in Großhansdorf, Germany, with Boris Herrmann live from the South Atlantic during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

From Northern Europe to The South Atlantic - Over 1000 Kids In My Ocean Challenge Event

This morning, Boris Herrmann sent us an audio update from the race, sharing both positive developments and some challenges he's facing. Stay tuned to discover the highs and lows of today as he navigates through the ever-changing conditions of the Vendée Globe.

It’s Not Over Yet - Day 17 - Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann, skipper of Team Malizia

For Boris, the conditions are a bit different: "Super easy here for me. I'm slightly behind, on the edge of the wind, so at night I was down to 13 knots of true wind speed at times. Now I have 19 knots."

Today, the pressure is on. Will Boris Herrmann manage to slip past the looming windless zone that threatens to create significant gaps between the leading group and their chasers?

How Long Can They Keep Up This Pace? - Day 16 - Vendée Globe

I'm doing an average of 25 sometimes, and quite often hitting 30 knots

A bumpy ride, but a happy one!

Keeping it tidy!

I think the weather situation is super interesting, it could be a defining moment for the entire race

As the fleet heads the South, the developing weather system creates a defining moment in the race

Chasing the Low - Day 15 - Vendée Globe

Can you spot the yellow arrow? This represents the location of Boris and the Malizia - Seaexplorer. 

For now, we have good conditions, but the front pack is likely to ride the wave further.

The blue dotted line shows the front which Boris is planning to ride along.

Siesta!

In yesterday’s update, Boris shared his thoughts on the "train" — the weather system that could propel the front of the fleet towards the Cape of Good Hope at record speeds. Determined not to miss the opportunity, Boris focused intently on trimming sails and optimising his performance to stay in the competition. His efforts have paid off, with the fleet now heading east and picking up speed.

All Aboard - Day 14 - Vendée Globe

Last evening photo from onboard

The next 24 hours could be decisive for the fleet competing in the Vendée Globe—or at least for our favourite sailor, Boris Herrmann (our completely unbiased opinion, of course).

Trying not to miss the train - Day 13 - Vendée Globe

Trying not to miss the train - Day 13

A little flying fish onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer is peeking at Boris through the window.

Today, Boris officially enters the Southern Hemisphere, where he’ll stay until the new year! It’s a significant milestone in the Vendée Globe, as within the next 24 hours, the fleet will have crossed the Equator, an imaginary line but a momentous marker in the race.

Welcome to the Southern Hemisphere - Day 12 - Vendée Globe

This Friday 22 November 2024 at 05:44 UTC, Malizia - Seaexplorer skippered by Boris Herrmann crossed the Equator into the South Atlantic after 11 days 17 hours 42 minutes and 42 seconds of racing in the iconic Vendée Globe.

Team Malizia's Boris Herrmann crossed the Equator this Friday morning into the South Atlantic in his second Vendée Globe

In The Hunt, Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann Crosses Equator In Vendée Globe Race

An albatross in the Southern Ocean

Sargassum seaweed observed in the High Seas from onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Manganese nodules on the seafloor in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, an area particularly threatened by deep-sea mining. The image was taken with ROV KIEL 6000 during expedition SO239 with Geomar's research vessel SONNE in April 2015

Down on the seafloor live stranger, and more, organisms than we can imagine. More often than not, while watching live images from the seafloor remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the scientists onboard burst out: "Wow! What IS that? Did you see that?!"

The time to act for the preservation of the High Seas is now

As our skipper Boris Herrmann is crossing the Equator and entering the South Atlantic on Day 12 of his second Vendée Globe, we want to shed light on a vital part of the Ocean he will sail across for most of the race: the High Seas. With threats like deep-sea mining looming, it is crucial to raise awareness and advocate for stronger conservation efforts to ensure the health and sustainability of the High Seas for future generations.

Relicanthus sp.—a new species from a new order of Cnidaria collected at 4,100 meters in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific that lives on sponge stalks attached to nodules lying on the seabed

Deep-Sea Mining, A Major Threat To The High Seas - That Can Still Be Stopped

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

Day 11 of the Vendée Globe, and today’s mission for Boris is clear: escape the Doldrums. While Thomas Ruyant impressively emerged first by opting for a strategic westward route, Boris has done an excellent job closing the gap with the fleet. However, the journey ahead remains long and full of uncertainty...

Today’s Plan: Escape the Doldrums - Day 11 - Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann's strategy is to keep focussing on the positives throughout the Vendée Globe race

Even though he races solo, Boris Herrmann doesn't feel alone and has the full support of his team, his family, his race partners, and the sailing community behind him

From the start of the race to navigating the tricky doldrums, Boris Herrmann tries to focus as much as possible on keeping a positive mindset, no matter if the race goes well or is challenging

The Vendée Globe is more than a race; it is a gruelling test of resilience, strategy, and mental fortitude. Success in this solo, non-stop circumnavigation demands not only exceptional sailing skill but also the ability to remain positive and adaptable amidst relentless challenges. For Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann, a clear purpose and an unwavering mindset serve as his compass, guiding him through the unpredictable waters of the Everest of the Seas.

Mastering the Vendée Globe: How a Positive Mindset Drives Success

The wind is back for perfect foiling conditions

11:00 am rankings today, Boris was sailing in 16th position

Today’s Vendée Globe Update: get all the details as Boris Herrmann finally enters the Doldrums! Plus, catch highlights from his interview with the race team this morning. Stay tuned for a wealth of updates from the high seas!

Heading for the Doldrums - Day 10 - Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in chanel of Les Sables d'Olonne

The Vendée Globe fleet is set to pick up speed today as the trade winds rebuild, promising a significant acceleration. The leaders are expected to reach the Doldrums by midday tomorrow, navigating this tricky transition zone. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Jean Le Cam, whose bold strategy has paid off, he's been twice as fast as the others over the past 24 hours. 

Significant Acceleration Expected Today - Day 9 - Vendée Globe

Team Malizia's skipper signed the drifter buoy before deploying it this afternoon in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! - We carry our mission on the sails of our IMOCA

This is not Boris Herrmann's first deployment of scientific instruments, he has been doing so since 2018

Boris Herrmann, skipper of Team Malizia, deployed a weather buoy northwest of Cabo Verde this afternoon while racing in the Vendée Globe. The scientific instrument will drift with the Ocean currents and measure data crucial for weather forecasting predictions and climate change monitoring. Boris Herrmann and his team have continuously carried scientific equipment onboard their IMOCA racing yacht since 2018, and are one of the top contributors of Ocean data in this year’s Global Carbon Budget, one of the key publications in climate science.

Team Malizia's Boris Herrmann deployed a drifter buoy northwest of Cabo Verde this afternoon as he was racing in the Vendée Globe

“Science Mission Accomplished!” - Boris Herrmann Deploys Weather Buoy During Vendée Globe

Today’s weather conditions remain extremely light, but with the front of the Vendée Globe fleet encountering yet another patch of dead calm, we’re expecting what could feel like a race restart later today. Stay tuned to see how the day unfolds!

A New Start Today - Day 8 - Vendée Globe

Looking at news can be a quick way of making yourself feel bad nowadays. A constant flow of headlines highlighting what's going wrong in the world, nearly completely disregarding the news of what's going right! And it is precisely these positive stories that we need in order to fuel our hope - and hope is what keeps us motivated to take action and strive for a brighter future.

Climate Hope Week 1

After last night’s sunset, we rejoin Boris Herrmann at sunrise, now in 19th position as of 6:30 a.m. Though he’s slipped a few spots, the race remains wide open, with fleets taking very different routes and many more days, weeks, and months at sea to go.

After last night’s sunset, we rejoin Boris Herrmann on the Malizia - Seaexplorer at sunrise, now in 19th position as of 6:30 a.m. Though he’s slipped a few spots, the race remains wide open, with fleets taking very different routes and many more days, weeks, and months at sea to go.

We Like Good Rest And Progress - Day 7 - Vendée Globe

We Like Good Rest And Progress - Day 7 - Vendee Globe

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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.

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