Day 4 of Leg 5 in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 has brought brutal conditions in the Mediterranean. With storm cells, unstable winds, and a reshuffling at the front, Team Malizia now leads a tightly packed quartet battling south of Sardinia. The fight for every mile is on, with less than ten miles separating the top four IMOCAs.

Malizia at the Front, Challenges Ahead - Day 4 of Leg 5 - The Ocean Race Europe

Day 3 of Leg 5 in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 saw Team Malizia finally take off after two days of drifting in light Mediterranean winds. Blasting at over 25 knots towards the Santo Stefano scoring gate, Boris Herrmann’s crew stayed locked in the fight with Paprec Arkéa, Allagrande Mapei Racing, and Biotherm. A spectacular broach tested the team’s skills, but Team Malizia remains fully in the game as the fleet powers south towards Boka Bay.

Foiling Conditions Are Back! - Day 3 of Leg 5 - The Ocean Race Europe

Drifting in painfully light Mediterranean winds, Team Malizia and the IMOCA fleet are inching their way from Genova towards Boka Bay on Leg 5 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025. After a sticky night of slow progress along the Italian and French coasts, the teams remain tightly packed, with just a few miles separating first from last. With fresh breeze expected tonight, the race is still wide open and every manoeuvre counts.

Drifting in the Med - Day 2 – Leg 5: The Ocean Race Europe

Co-skipper Francesca Clapcich leaving her home country on Leg 5 of The Ocean Race Europe as she departed Genova

Team Malizia leaving the dock in Genova

Malizia - Seaexplorer and the rest of the fleet on the start line in Genova

Navigator Will Harris onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer at the start of the final leg of The Ocean Race Europe

Co-skipper Cole Brauer onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer moments before the Leg 5 start

The fleet taking the start in sunny and extremely light wind conditions in Genova

Skipper Boris Herrmann

Boris Herrmann and his crew have embarked on the fifth and final leg of The Ocean Race Europe, departing Genova, Italy, this Sunday afternoon. Racing against six other boats to Boka Bay, Montenegro, the team faces approximately 1,600 nautical miles of tricky Mediterranean conditions. With a chance to climb up in the overall scoreboard, Team Malizia is aiming to finish strong and secure as many points as possible in the closing leg of their first Ocean Race Europe participation.

Team Malizia set sail in Leg 5 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 in Genova

Mediterranean Showdown: Team Malizia Sets Sail on Final Leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Genova Pro-Ams & Leg 5 Start Map

Team Malizia at the arrival of Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 in Genova

Leg 5 race course from Genova to Boka Bay

Leg 5 finish line in Boka Bay, Montenegro

 On Sunday 7 September, Team Malizia and their six competitors will take the start of Leg 5 of The Ocean Race Europe. Racing from Genova, Italy, to Boka Bay, Montenegro, the fleet will round Italy in another 100% Mediterranean leg. With the ranking still far from decided, Team Malizia is more determined than ever to fight for every mile and point until the finish in the Adriatic.

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

How To Follow The Leg 5 Start Of The Ocean Race Europe In Genova

230 students ages 11-18 joined Team Malizia for an hour of Ocean education!

Students from the International School of Genova join for a tour of the Malizia - Seaexplorer racing yacht.

Team Malizia's My Ocean Challenge hosted an educational event in the city of Genova to inspire Ocean and climate action! 230 children aged 11-18 from the International School of Genova joined this event.

The Race On Land - My Ocean Challenge Kids Event in Genova

From the shore team’s tireless work on land to the crew’s relentless effort at sea, this episode shows the heart of Team Malizia during Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe.  The big positive from this leg, despite the setback, is that we kept our spirits high and really enjoyed the sailing. Even when it became clear we couldn’t catch the Canadians, we pushed the boat to the max, proof of our great team spirit.  We are a diverse mix of nationalities and cultures, and for Loïs and Cole this is their very first major IMOCA season. Everything is new and exciting, and yet no one loses motivation just because we’re further back. We fight to the very end, with full commitment.  Of course, slipping into sixth place was tough to swallow, but 24 hours later, the frustration is gone. We’re proud of the way we raced, and more motivated than ever to come back strong in the next leg.  ⚡ Watch the episode to see the highs, the challenges, and the unbeatable Malizia spirit from Nice to Genova.

Leg 4 Nice To Genova - MALIZIANS Season 2 Episode 6

Malizia - Seaexplorer flying along the Italian coast near Genova

Skipper Boris Herrmann on arrival in Genova, Italy

The Team Malizia crew shortly after the Leg 4 finish line in Genova during The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia's Italian co-skipper Francesca Clapcich is back in Genova

From left to right: Boris Herrmann, Cole Brauer, Loïs Berrehar, Francesca Clapcich, and Flore Hartout

Malizia Explorer in front of the coast of Genova, Italy

“Not the result we wanted, but more determined than ever” - Team Malizia has crossed the finish line of Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 in sixth place after an intense Mediterranean race from Nice, France, to Genova, Italy. Despite the result, the crew remained focused and spirited, fighting for every mile until the finish. Skipper Boris Herrmann and his team are now taking a short break in Italy before regrouping and setting their sights on the next leg, more motivated than ever to deliver a strong result.

Team Malizia Completes Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 In Sixth Place

Team Malizia Finishes Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 In Sixth Place

Day 3 of Leg 4 finds Team Malizia locked in a fierce mid-fleet battle, holding 5th position as the fleet pushes north. After a brutal passage through the Strait of Bonifacio – from blasting along in 40 knots to suddenly drifting in no wind – the leading pack managed to escape while Malizia and the chasing boats fought to break free along the Sardinian coast.

Final Push in The Golf Of Genova - Day 3 of Leg 4 on The Ocean Race Europe

Final Push in The Golf of Genova - Day 3 of Leg 4 on The Ocean Race Europe

After a tricky first night at sea, Team Malizia is feeling the sting of a risky strategy that didn’t pay off. Cole Brauer summed it up candidly: the team gambled on a shorter route to slip south of a low-pressure system, but when the breeze filled in from the west, their rivals took off while Malizia sat stalled in light airs.

Our Strategy Didn't Pay Off - Day 2 - Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 

 Disappointing Day At Sea - Day 2 - Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 

Sebastian Steudtner jumping off Malizia - Seaexplorer in style

The IMOCA fleet at the start of Leg 4 in Nice, France

Loïs Berrehar, Boris Herrmann, and Francesca Clapcich during the final weather briefing earlier today in Nice, France

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Team Malizia heading toward Monaco

Team Malizia, led by skipper Boris Herrmann, is back racing on the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean for Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, sailing from Nice, France, toward Genova, Italy. This 550-nautical mile leg features a short but tactical loop around Corsica, where the fleet will face a mix of challenging conditions, including the notorious Strait of Bonifacio. The teams are expected to reach Genova after three days of racing.

From Nice to Genova: Team Malizia Takes on Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Leg 4 Start line in Nice, France

Team Malizia's sailors for Leg 4 from Nice to Genova

Malizia - Seaexplorer arriving in Nice on 29 August 2025

On Tuesday 26 August, the fleet lines up once again in Cartagena, Spain, for the 650-nautical-mile sprint to Nice, France. With a zig-zag route through the Mediterranean and key strategic decisions to make as they approach the Balearic Islands, Team Malizia is ready to fight for crucial points and give it their all.

Parade of the Imoca followed by Pointus (Regional fishing boat) before the Leg 4 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 in Nice, France on August 30, 2025

How To Follow The Leg 4 Start Of The Ocean Race Europe In Nice

Malizia - Seaexplorer at the Leg 3 arrival in Nice, France

Malizia - Seaexplorer docking-in in Nice, France

Cole Brauer, Francesca Clapcich, Loïs Berrehar, and Boris Herrmann

Boris Herrmann

Team Malizia in Nice

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia completed Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe on Friday morning, finishing in fifth place after a 650-nautical-mile sprint from Cartagena, Spain, to Nice, France. The team faced shifting winds, sweltering heat, and intense tactical duels with their rivals, arriving two and a half hours behind leg winner Biotherm. They are now focusing on recovering during a short stopover before the Leg 4 start to Genova.

Team Malizia at the Leg 3 arrival in Nice this Friday morning

Team Malizia Finishes Fifth in Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Leg 3 is heating up in every sense. While Biotherm and Team Holcim-PRB have edged slightly ahead, Team Malizia remains locked in a fierce three-boat battle with Allagrande Mapei Racing and Paprec Arkéa. After rounding Ibiza and Mallorca, the IMOCA fleet is now pushing towards “Waypoint Charlie” off Porquerolles, where unstable upwind conditions could shake up the rankings once more. With less than 24 hours to the finish in Nice, the game is still wide open.

Still A Lot To Play!  - Day 3 - Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe

"Die Welt unter meinem Boot", Boris Herrmann & Walter Wüllenweber

Boris Herrmann präsentierte sein neues Buch bei der Malizia Pressekonferenz zum Start des Ocean Race Europe 2025 in Kiel

Boris Herrmann veröffentlicht sein drittes Buch bei C.Bertelsmann

A life dedicated to sailing and protecting the Ocean: On 22 October 2025, top sailor Boris Herrmann will release his new book The World Beneath My Boat, written together with co-author Walter Wüllenweber. The two take readers on a fascinating journey beneath the surface of the sea.

Team Malizias Boris Herrmann veröffentlich mit Co-Autor Walter Wüllenweber "Die Welt unter meinem Boot"

Boris Herrmann Takes a Closer Look in His New Book at “The World Under My Boat”

Team Malizia and the rest of the fleet are off to Nice, France, in Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

After a spectacular and sweltering start from Cartagena, the IMOCA fleet wasted no time trading blows as Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 got underway. With temperatures soaring above 30°C, sticky humidity, and relentless manoeuvring, the first 24 hours have tested both boat and crew. Team Malizia is thriving in the close fight, with navigator Loïs Berrehar guiding the crew through thunderstorms and shifty clouds to stay on the right side of each shift. Now, all eyes turn to the next big challenge: a low-pressure system tracking north from Algeria towards the Balearics, a weather twist that could reshape the entire leg and decide who reaches Nice ahead.

Hot Weather: Sweating Over Strategy - Day 2 - Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe

Team Malizia's final weather briefing this morning before the Leg 3

Boris Herrmann taking a team selfie moments before docking-off in Cartagena, Spain

Leg 3 co-skippers Loïs Berrehar and Francesca Clapcich in Cartagena

Boris Herrmann is back as Malizia - Seaexplorer skipper for the rest of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia at the start of Leg 3 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

After completing the longest leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, the fleet of seven IMOCA boats has set off on Leg 3, a fast and tactical sprint through the heart of the Mediterranean towards Nice, France. With a varied condition course ahead, Team Malizia led by skipper Boris Herrmann, and a fresh crew of Loïs Berrehar, Cole Brauer, Francesca Clapcich, and onboard reporter Flore Hartout, is aiming to make the most of every mile on their way to the only French stopover of the race.

 Leg 3’s Sprint In The Mediterranean: Team Malizia Off To Nice In The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Leg 3 Start Line in Cartagena

The Ocean Live Park in Cartagena, Spain

Guest sailing in Cartagena during the Spanish stopover of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

The finish line of Leg 3 in Nice, France

How To Follow The Leg 3 Start Of The Ocean Race Europe In Cartagena

The Mediterranean, as tricky as it gets

Team Malizia encountered lots of marine wildlife during Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Malizia - Seaexplorer during Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Skipper Will Harris and co-skipper Francesca Clapcich during Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia's Francesca Clapcich, Will Harris and Justine Mettraux at the Leg 2 arrival in Cartagena, Spain

Malizia - Seaexplorer off the coast of Cartagena in Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Allagrande MAPEI Racing's Thomas Ruyant congratulating Team Malizia's Loïs Berrerar after a neck and neck battle in Leg 2

Led by skipper Will Harris, the crew onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer fought tooth and nail from Portsmouth, UK, to Cartagena, Spain. After an intense 1,400 nautical mile race through the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, a Fly-By in Portugal and the final push in the Mediterranean, Team Malizia secured valuable points with 5th place finish to see them 3rd on the overall ranking. With three more stages to go and Leg 3 starting in three days’ time, everything is still to play for.

Team Malizia flying to the Leg 2 finish in Cartagena in The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia Battles Through Longest Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe, Secures Points and Eyes Comeback

Mediterranean shake-up: the race is wide open. All to play for on the final miles to Cartagena. The Strait of Gibraltar gave us one of those unforgettable moments at sea, spinnaker up, Africa on one side and Europe on the other. But as quickly as the breeze carried us in, it disappeared in the Alboran Sea. Leads vanished, gaps closed, and suddenly the race was reset once again. For Team Malizia, the night was far from easy. Tangled in a fishing net and drifting in a windless patch, the crew had to fight tooth and nail just to keep the boat moving. Tired but determined, they refused to give in and by morning, Allagrande Mapei Racing and Malizia were back on the hunt, closing the gap on the leaders.

Fishing Nets And No Wind Areas - Day 6 - Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe

As we near the end of Leg 2, the longest of this edition of The Ocean Race Europe, fatigue is beginning to show, and the frustration of the night before the Porto fly-by still lingers in the minds of Malizia’s sailors. As Will put it, “a small mistake can cost you so much” and it has. The crew now finds themselves struggling to close the gap to the podium, with the wind playing hide and seek and shifts favouring the boats ahead. Each missed puff makes it harder to reel in the competition.  Let’s have a look at the past 24 hours while our boat is approaching Gibraltar…

Tiredness Is Setting - Day 5 - Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe

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My Ocean Challenge event in Monaco, in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco

YACHT CLUB DE MONACO

EFG International

Boris as the patron of the Planet Hero Award 2022

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Hapag Lloyd 175 year anniversary

Hapag Lloyd

SCHÜTZ

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My Ocean Challenge Event at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco with Boris Herrmann, Pierre Casiraghi & Léa Olivier.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation