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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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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.

12 December 2024, Cape Leeuwin longitude, Southern Ocean - 

“Hello everyone! Another memorable moment onboard 

 in a video sent minutes ago from the Southern Ocean as he is racing on Day 32 of the 

 adds: "You know what this means. If the rhum bottle comes out, it means that we have passed a major cape." 

Pointing at a vertical line on his computer screen, he explains: "This line goes all the way north to the southwesternmost tip of Australia, to 

. And we passed it exactly on December 12th, at 16:22 UTC. This is second out of the three big capes to round in the Vendée Globe: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn which is next. We are just passing the corner of the ice gate’s "Australian bump", as I call it.” 

Boris Herrmann rounded Cape of Good Hope ten days ago but he feels differently about reaching this new milestone today, after 32 days, 4 hours, 20 minutes, and 54 seconds at sea and in 

 out of 38 competitors still in the race. “C

ape Leeuwin feels more significant than Cape of Good Hope”, he explains. “That is because it feels like we are almost halfway through the Southern Ocean, and now the Vendée Globe appears gradually in a different perspective: a bit over two weeks and we might be rounding Cape Horn and out of the thick of this Vendée Globe. Things appear more manageable in terms of being almost halfway through.”

, and I just did a routing for fun and it seems possible that I will reach it on time, maybe even a bit earlier, let’s see.” 

He adds: “Thank you all for your support, it's a great success for Team Malizia to be here. Massive thanks to the team, to our partners, and to everyone that makes this possible. We have a reliable boat, we are in mostly full capacity with the boat. I'm feeling great, and more than ready to tackle the next cape!”

The German solo sailor has been enjoying 

the past days at sea, describing them as grey but beautiful Southern Ocean days with flat seas, and being able to do some fast reaching with the J2 and one reef along the Australian “buckle” of the 

earlier today. However, the Southern Ocean is notorious for its powerful low pressure systems and Boris Herrmann is keeping his eye on one coming next week: “

We have a major storm coming up on Monday south of New Zealand, potentially with strong winds up to 45-50 knots! So wish us luck next Monday when you go to the office! And keep following. We are almost halfway around the globe, and here's a cheer to Cape Leeuwin!”

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!

mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its 

: Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, and EFG International. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.

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

As he is braving rough conditions, Team Malizia’s skipper Boris Herrmann has rounded Cape of Good Hope this Monday afternoon and will soon pass Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, marking his entry into the Indian Ocean on Day 22 of the Vendée Globe solo race. This milestone, along with having spotted his first albatross yesterday, also signifies his transition into the notoriously challenging Southern Ocean.

02 December 2024, Cape of Good Hope - Boris Herrmann

this Monday 2 December at 14:33 UTC in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025. The offshore sailor, who is competing in the solo, non-stop, unassisted, round-the-world race for the second time was the 12th participant to reach the longitude of the famous landmark, after 

22 days, 2 hours, and precisely 31 minutes at sea

r in a voice note sent from onboard. “Today, at 14:33, we passed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope. In fairly typical conditions for this area, the Agulhas Current often causes rough seas here. It’s not easy to manoeuver in such conditions. I’ve worked hard today, and now I’m exhausted. Thankfully, I don’t have to jibe for the time being and can continue on my current course heading southeast. I may have to reef the sails and change them later tonight if the wind picks up. For now, I’m granting myself a brief moment of rest.”

As Boris Herrmann is approaching Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent, he will soon officially 

: “The Indian Ocean will undoubtedly be very challenging. It looks like there’ll be a lot of wind, and I’ll be relieved once we reach the Pacific. The Indian Ocean is often disliked by sailors and skippers because its seas are far more confused than those of the Pacific.” He continues: “I’ve set myself the goal of rounding Cape Horn by 1 January at the latest. Yesterday was the 1st of December. So from the 1st of December to the 1st of January, the entire month of December is what I call my ‘Southern Month’, my Southern Ocean passage.”

Returning to the Southern Ocean for the first time since 

, Boris Herrmann will have two things to look forward to: observing his favourite bird, the albatross, and showing once again the potential of his 

 race yacht. “I’ve already spotted some albatrosses yesterday, that was fantastic. It’s still fairly warm here, especially in the current, and we had some sunshine today, though the wind was very unstable at times.” 

: “They are harsh, with showers and gusts. Overall, it’s very challenging to sail. The boat bucks quite a bit in the swell, and even with our seaworthy vessel, we’ve experienced small nose dives and plenty of water over the deck. It’s very rough aboard the boat. You’re thrown back and forth. Conditions are tough right now, and if things intensify further, we’ll need to ease off a bit and simply navigate through safely. That’s the situation onboard for now.”

Even though he saw it coming over the past days, the current 1,300 nautical mile gap to the leader of the fleet is not Boris Herrmann’s preferred ranking as he enters the Southern Ocean. However, 

 is in his own and his team’s DNA - a prime example being the last time he sailed at these latitudes in The Ocean Race 2022-2023. After discovering and repairing a crack in the mast only days after leaving Cape Town in Leg 3 of the race, Team Malizia were over 600 nautical miles behind the leaders. Yet, by the time they reached Cape Horn, they had overtaken all the boats in the fleet and rounded the landmark in first place,

 for being the fastest team from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Horn. A few days later, they 

. “There’s still a long way to go in this race”, said 

. “And like Francis Joyon told me during our Trophy Jules Verne years ago, you never know when a pleasant surprise might come your way. So I’ll wait for the opportunities that might lie ahead and seize the moment.”

An opportunity that might present itself in the near future, as explains Team Malizia’s co-skipper 

: “The big feature of the week is a low pressure system currently south of Boris’ position that is building up. It’s a really powerful and proper Southern Ocean low. It is strengthening as it moves East and will catch up with the boats in the group ahead of Boris. In 24 hours, the leaders will still be well ahead of the low, but this second group, of the 6th to 9th places will get caught up and experience 30 knots of wind, with gusts up to 40 knots. With that, the waves are getting bigger, reaching 4-5 meters by tomorrow.”

continues: “In three days, so by Thursday afternoon, the low will have really developed and the winds on the back edge of the low could reach 50-60 knots. Fortunately for Boris and Justine Mettraux, their positions allow them to hang off the back of the low, avoiding its worst conditions. Meanwhile, we expect a lot of boats going further North to evade the strongest winds and waves. However, the leaders’ strategies will be very interesting: they could head North, attempt a risky route through the center of the low, or even venture South, battling upwind conditions. It’s a tricky situation and will be fascinating to watch. The first real test for the boats will be Friday though, as the waves are expected to grow even bigger, possibly up to 10 meters. But the three groups should then be in the same weather system, which is good news for Boris. Cape Leeuwin is expected to be reached by the race leaders in 6-7 days, with Boris following 1.5 days later. This gives him an opportunity to close the gap—fingers crossed everything goes smoothly. At this stage, it’s vital for sailors to carefully balance performance with safety, making smart decisions to navigate these challenging conditions.”

: EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, and the Yacht Club de Monaco. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions. 

Boris Herrmann on the deck of his Malizia - Seaexplorer during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann Rounds Cape of Good Hope in Vendée Globe

30. November 2024, Düsseldorf, Deutschland

 – Während seiner Offshore-Rennen streben Boris Herrmann und sein Team Malizia danach, auf dem Wasser Höchstleistungen zu erbringen und gleichzeitig das Bewusstsein für den Ozean- und Klimaschutz zu schärfen. Auf dem Meer engagiert sich das Team im Dienst der Wissenschaft, indem es wertvolle Ozeandaten während der Segelrennen wie der Vendée Globe sammelt, die sie oft in abgelegene Meeresregionen führen. Darüber hinaus setzt sich das Team durch ihr Bildungsprogramm 

 für die Vermittlung von Wissen über die Ozeane ein und unterstützt die Wiederaufforstung von Mangrovenwäldern auf den Philippinen durch den Malizia Mangrove Park. Ihr Slogan 

„A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!“

 geschrieben steht, betont die Dringlichkeit, der Klimakrise entgegenzutreten.

In Anerkennung ihres Engagements wurde Team Malizia gestern Abend im Rahmen einer feierlichen Verleihungsgala im MARITIM Hotel in Düsseldorf mit dem Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreis Sport 2025 in der Kategorie „Sportveranstaltungen“ ausgezeichnet. Der Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitspreis ist Europas größte Auszeichnung für ökologische und soziale Nachhaltigkeitsprojekte. Seit seiner Einführung im Jahr 2008 würdigt der Preis Unternehmen, Kommunen und Einzelpersonen, die innovative und wirkungsvolle Ansätze zur Bewältigung von Umwelt- und gesellschaftlichen Herausforderungen verfolgen.

Boris Herrmann, der sich derzeit an Tag 19 der Vendée Globe auf dem Weg zum Kap der Guten Hoffnung befindet, sagte in einer Videobotschaft von Bord:

Ganz herzlichen Dank für diese tolle Auszeichnung und beste Grüße aus dem Südatlantik. Cornelius Eich ist heute bei Ihnen und wird den Preis entgegennehmen, stellvertretend für das ganze Team Malizia und Partnern. Ich bin stolz auf das Erreichte, aber sehe den Preis als Ansporn für unsere Ozean- und Klimaschutzkampagne

Der Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitspreis Sport richtet sich an alle Akteur:innen des Sports und würdigt vorbildliche Maßnahmen und Produkte, die die Nachhaltigkeit innerhalb der Branche voranbringen. Durch die Würdigung herausragender Beispiele zielt der Preis darauf ab, weitere Entwicklungen der Nachhaltigkeitsidee im Sport zu fördern und guten Praxisbeispielen mehr Sichtbarkeit in der breiten Öffentlichkeit zu verschaffen.

Cornelius Eich nahm an der Zeremonie teil, traf dort Vertreter verschiedener Nachhaltigkeitsinitiativen und erhielt die Auszeichnung von Fecht-Olympiasiegerin, ehemaligem IOC-Mitglied und aktueller Vorsitzenden der Flüchtlingsorganisation im DOSB, Britta Heidemann.

Nach der Veranstaltung erklärte er:„Diese Auszeichnung ist ein Beweis für das Engagement hinter unserer Kampagne 

. Sie motiviert uns, unsere Botschaft noch stärker zu verbreiten und weiterhin konkrete Maßnahmen voranzutreiben. Wir hoffen, dass diese Anerkennung, zusammen mit Boris’ Teilnahme an der Vendée Globe, ein Gefühl der Dringlichkeit weckt und Menschen dazu inspiriert, sich uns im Kampf gegen die Klimakrise anzuschließen.“

Die Mission von Team Malizia „A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!“ ist nur dank des starken und langfristigen Engagements seiner sieben Hauptpartner möglich: Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Gruppe Deutschland, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, und Schütz. Diese Partner stehen hinter Team Malizia und unterstützen die Kampagne, wobei jeder von ihnen in seinem eigenen Bereich Projekte vorantreibt, um innovative Klimaschutz-Lösungen zu entwickeln.

Während Boris Herrmann als Skipper von Team Malizia derzeit bei der Vendée Globe um den Globus segelt, wurde sein Team mit dem Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreis Sport 2025 ausgezeichnet – einer der renommiertesten Auszeichnungen Europas für Nachhaltigkeitsprojekte und -initiativen. In der Kategorie „Sportveranstaltungen“ ehrte die Jury Team Malizia für ihren herausragenden Beitrag zum Klimaschutz und nachhaltigen Sport.

Team Malizia von Boris Herrmann erhält Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreis Sport 2025

 aim to perform at their best on the water while raising awareness about climate change. For years, they have been dedicated to Ocean protection, contributing to scientific research by collecting data during races like the Vendée Globe, which often take them to remote Ocean regions. Additionally, they have been campaigning for Ocean education through their 

 programme and restoring the mangrove forest in the Philippines through the Malizia Mangrove Park. Their slogan 

 race yacht and underscores the urgency of addressing the climate crisis.

In recognition of their engagement, Team Malizia were awarded the 

 in the category Sport Events during a festive ceremony yesterday evening at the MARITIM Hotel in Düsseldorf. The German Sustainability Award (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis) is Europe’s largest award for ecological and social sustainability. Established in 2008, it recognises efforts by businesses, municipalities, and individuals that demonstrate innovative and impactful approaches to environmental and social challenges. Organised annually with key partners, the 17th award ceremony took place during the German Sustainability Day, on 29 November 2024, in Düsseldorf, attracting thousands of guests and high-profile speakers from various sectors. 

 who is currently racing towards Cape of Good Hope on Day 19 of the Vendée Globe, said in a video message sent from onboard: “Thank you very much for this wonderful award, and best regards from the South Atlantic. Our team’s Head of Sustainability and Partnership Cornelius Eich is with you today and will accept the award on behalf of the entire Team Malizia and our partners. I am proud of what we have achieved but see this award as motivation to continue our Ocean and climate protection campaign.”

The Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis Sport is aimed at all actors in the sports sector and honors exemplary achievements that advance sustainability within the industry. Through showcasing outstanding examples, the award seeks to encourage the further integration of sustainability principles into sports and embed these ideas within the broader public consciousness.

 attended the ceremony, where he met representatives from various sustainability initiatives and received the award from fencing Olympic champion, former IOC member, and current chair of the Refugee Organization in the DOSB, Britta Heidemann.

Following the event, he shared his thoughts, saying: “This award is a testament to the effort behind our 

 campaign. It inspires us to amplify our message and continue pushing for action. We hope this recognition, coupled with Boris’s participation in the Vendée Globe, will ignite a sense of urgency and motivate people to join us in the fight against the climate crisis.”

: the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, and Schütz. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions. 

As their skipper Boris Herrmann competes in the Vendée Globe, Team Malizia has been honoured with the German Sustainability Award Sport 2025—one of Europe’s most prestigious awards for sustainability projects and initiatives. The team received the award in the “Sport Events” category for their contributions to climate action and sports.

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia Receives German Sustainability Award Sport 2025

Team Malizia, led by renowned skipper Boris Herrmann, is proud to announce its partnership with 360T, a global leader in Foreign Exchange (FX) trading solutions. This collaboration unites two high-performance teams that share a common vision: achieving excellence, teamwork, innovation, and driving meaningful action against climate change.

 and delivering thrilling action on the water, Team Malizia is sharing exciting news from shore through the announcement of its partnership with 

Whilst Boris Herrmann is racing in the solo, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world race for the second time, he and his Team Malizia are also set to join 

 next August. Since 2018, they continuously use their platform to inspire ambitious climate action, contribute to scientific research, and educate children on Ocean and climate change topics. The partnership between Team Malizia and 360T is built on shared values and commitment to 

Competitive offshore racing teams such as Team Malizia leverage advanced technology to fine-tune and optimise performance. Research & Development is carried out consistently in order to push the technological boundaries to new levels. 360T’s cutting-edge Foreign Exchange (FX) trading platform is defined by low latency capabilities, effective algorithms, and strong data analytics to stay ahead of the curve. Both Team Malizia and 360T rely on best-in-class technology as the foundation of their success and a key differentiator.

“We are excited to join forces with 360T, a partner who is highly innovative and strongly committed to our 

. The team’s science projects on Ocean health and their mission to raise awareness on important environmental topics, strongly resonate with 360T.

“The global vision, shared values, and our mutual commitment to use pioneering technology to achieve consistently high performance as well as the aim to push boundaries with a clear view on sustainability, responsibility, and education brought 360T and Team Malizia together” says 

. “In both FX trading and Ocean racing, success is built on advanced technology, a strong team, precision, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. We are proud to support Boris Herrmann’s racing adventures now and in 2025, as he sets new standards in sailing innovation and collects valuable data from Ocean waters around the globe.”

360T is one of the globally leading trading platforms for Foreign Exchange (FX). As Deutsche Börse Group’s powerhouse for FX, 360T provides a web-based trading technology for over-the-counter (OTC) instruments, integration solutions and related services. Since its inception in 2000, the company has developed and maintained a state-of-the-art multi-bank portal for foreign exchange, cash and money market products. With over 2,900 buy-side customers and more than 200 liquidity providers across 75 different countries, 360T is uniquely positioned to connect the global FX industry.

Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 360T maintains subsidiaries in London (360 Trading Networks UK Limited), New York (360 Trading Networks Inc), Singapore (360T Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.), Mumbai (ThreeSixty Trading Networks (India) Pvt Ltd), Kuala Lumpur (360 Trading Networks Sdn Bhd) and Dubai (360 Trading Networks (DIFC) Limited).

Since the launch of their new racing yacht 

 in July 2022, Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia already competed in the Ocean Race 2023, finishing in third place. In 2024, the skipper is now racing in his second Vendée, after he became the first German to compete in this iconic round the world solo race in 2020 finishing in 5

 A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now!

 mission, Team Malizia combines sailing, science, and education. They carry this message, along with the United Nations Sustainable Developments Goals wheel, on the sails of their 

, raising awareness for a healthier and more sustainable future.

: Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Hapag-Lloyd. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions. 

Malizia - Seaexplorer

Team Malizia Partners With FX Trading Platform 360T

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.

22 November 2024, Equator, Atlantic Ocean

 - Early this Friday morning at 05:44 UTC (06:44 CET), 

 was the 14th solo sailor to cross the Equator after 11 days, 17 hours, 42 minutes, and 42 seconds of competition in the iconic round-the-world race. He enterered the Southern Hemisphere 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 27 seconds after the current leader Thomas Ruyant (

 in a voice note sent a few minutes ago. “At 05:44 UTC, we crossed the Equator with the sunrise—or at least with the dawn; the sunrise itself is still about half an hour away. It’s been a fantastic night with light winds of 12 to 14 knots. That’s fairly moderate and comfortable. Nevertheless, the boat is sailing at around 14 to 16 knots—not quite as fast as some of the leaders up front. I’ve heard they’re experiencing slightly stronger winds. I hope the wind treats us kindly here in the Southern Hemisphere and carries us through smoothly until we leave this side of the world again around mid-January next year at a similar location. We’ll be “upside down” here for that long. Warm greetings from onboard to everyone following the race, and all the best! Have a wonderful day!

Unpredictable weather conditions from the start of this edition of the race have resulted in the lead changing hands multiple times within the first two weeks. Heading south may have brought warmer weather conditions, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing. For the Team Malizia skipper, positioned behind the front pack of the fleet, navigating light and shifting winds meant progress was frustratingly slow and at times it felt like he was going round in circles. In the advent of such challenging conditions, all he could do was trust his strategy, maintain a level head and a calm mind, and stay optimistic. "I would say I've made progress with my 

, and I’m very happy about that,” he said earlier this week. The offshore sailor’s philosophy is to take the race one step at a time, and he has now reached the next milestone: the Equator.

In a video message sent from onboard as he exited the doldrums yesterday afternoon, Boris Herrmann explained his 

 for the upcoming days and week: “As the leaders extend, they are getting better wind earlier, but I can't complain. We got through the doldrums really nicely, and now it's an interesting situation for the next week. We have a nice low coming off from South America on which we ride the South Atlantic until Cape Town, and in record time. Only if I make my polar at 100% or close to 100% though. If I go at 90%, I miss that low. That will be in about five, six days from now, when it would be clear and then I would be losing 1200 miles to those who make it with the low. So a big potential split could happen then in the race, which makes it important to now find some speed, find the wind, and get going.”

 went on: “The good side of the story is if I manage to stay with this low, the others can't get much ahead, because ahead the low is a high pressure ridge. So they can't jump a system ahead. But this system we need to get, if it materialises and if the others get it. So, I'm a little bit pushy at the moment with the Code Zero and a bit more wind than usual for that sail, trying to get us going in this lumpy sea. It's slamming, the boat sometimes slows down quite a bit and, I know this from the numerous Transat Jacques Vabre races and other occasions, this is a bit the bouncy, lousy part of the Atlantic. Two days like this normally. And then, you can also have some of the nicest sailing in the next couple of days, with flat sea and a reaching breeze. So, all good onboard so far and I’m in the hunt.” 

: Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Hapag-Lloyd. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.

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

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.

 - While competing at the highest level in the toughest offshore races, 

 have a mission to further scientific research, raise awareness for Ocean protection, and inspire ambitious climate action. This was particularly evident today as the 

 skipper was sailing on Day 8 of the iconic 

. As he was racing against his 39 competitors northwest of Cabo Verde, Boris Herrmann deployed one of the eight 

 in the race, just south of 21°N this Tuesday afternoon at 14:00 UTC.

“With our team, we have deployed several weather buoys and other instruments like Argo floats numerous times in the last years, including the previous Vendée Globe, The Ocean Race, the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023, and The Transat CIC this spring” says the 

. “These buoys are very important for meteorology but also for climatology.”

 adds: “Hopefully today we are once again making a useful contribution to science and better understanding climate change, as well as improving weather and climate models!” Just after signing “There’s no planet B”, “Malizia”, “Climate Action Now!”, and his name, Boris Herrmann deployed the buoy: “Ok, let’s get this overboard! Cheers, bye bye, bring us good measurements!” Facing the camera, he concluded: “Science mission accomplished!”

The drifter buoys float with the Ocean currents, and record temperature, surface currents, and atmospheric pressure data. 

 explains: “Atmospheric pressure can’t be measured by satellites and drifter buoys are among the few tools available to obtain this information. This is why deploying them is crucial for accurate weather forecasting and climate change monitoring.” 

About 1,300 drifter buoys are currently deployed worldwide, with approximately 230 buoys in the North Atlantic where the IMOCA fleet is racing in the first week of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025. Several hundred new buoys need to be deployed each year to meet up the requirements of the WMO and ensure a minimum level of quality in weather forecasting. This drifter buoy deployment in this race is coordinated through UNESCO, the Vendée Globe, the IMOCA class, Météo France, and OceanOPS.

 adds: “The data collected by the drifter buoys also improves vessel routing, helping to reduce environmental impacts. Boris was one of the pioneers among IMOCA skippers to deploy these buoys. In the Vendée Globe 2020-2021, he was one of only three sailors to do so. We are pleased that he has continued to do so over the years. It is great to see that more and more sailors are now doing the same.”

Alongside Boris Herrmann, who has also been running the 

 since 2018, four other skippers will deploy weather buoys in an area with scarce observations between the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde. Two other skippers will deploy a different type of weather buoy near Cape of Good Hope and near Madagascar. In total, a record-number of 25 skippers are carrying scientific devices in this 10th edition of the race: OceanPack, Argo float, drifter buoy, planktoscope, weather station…

Raising awareness for Ocean and climate protection through the adventure of sailing is printed in Team Malizia’s DNA and their 

, which is supported by their seven main partners. "Like in every race, delivery or training we do, I also have the OceanPack onboard”, explains the 

. “This automated laboratory very precisely measures Ocean CO₂ concentrations, temperature and salinity data. By now, we’ve gathered one of the largest accessible datasets, which is freely available for scientists to use to better understand the role of the Ocean in the climate system.”

Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research

 (AWI), is one of the scientists analysing 

. She says: “I am thrilled to be working closely with Team Malizia. The data they collected has already made an impact, with CO₂ measurements from The Ocean Race feeding directly into the 2024 Global Carbon Budget – one of the key publications in climate science. The preprint was published three days ago and this is vital to understand the Ocean’s role in absorbing carbon and buffering our climate. 

 is even one of the top contributors on the Ocean data side this year!”

Earlier this year, the importance of even a single measurement campaign by 

 in one race was also highlighted in the peer-reviewed journal 

. Scientists demonstrated that the data collected by Team Malizia’s racing yacht 

 when estimating the Ocean carbon sink and fills essential measurement gaps, particularly in under-sampled regions such as the Southern Ocean. 

concludes: “This partnership between science and sport exemplifies the spirit of climate action and exploration. I can’t wait to see the discoveries ahead as we race not only to the finish line, but for the future of our planet.”

: Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.

A link to track the drifter buoy will be available tomorrow on Team Malizia's website

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

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

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!” - Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann Deploys Weather Buoy During Vendée Globe

Team Malizia’s skipper Boris Herrmann has started his second Vendée Globe this Sunday at 13:02 in Les Sables d’Olonne. After sailing up the famous channel to the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd, the fleet of 40 IMOCA boats set sail in very light winds and in a race that will take them around the world and through the challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean.

10 November 2024, Les Sables d’Olonne, France

 Team Malizia’s skipper Boris Herrmann 

took an excellent start today in Les Sables d’Olonne as he set sail onboard 

. The German solo sailor kicked-off the round-the-world race at the pin end of the line, with a little more air, and impeccably controlled timing this Sunday 10 November 2024 at 13:02 (local time, 12:02 pm UTC). Going quicker than his other 39 competitors, he rapidly gained more than 200 metres over them and 

 for the first twenty minutes of the race. 

, the Vendée Globe is considered the greatest challenge in sport. The legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted, round-the-world race is celebrating its 10th edition with a record-number of 40 IMOCA boats on the start line. Only 114 sailors have ever completed the race out of 200 who started, and Boris Herrmann made history in 2021, when he became the 

“I feel great and I’m very keen to go”, said

 as he arrived in the mixed zone this morning. "I slept well, though I woke up an hour too early from my alarm. Then I cuddled with my dog Lilli for a bit, and I’m glad she can still accompany me on the dock as I walk to the boat in a few minutes. I’m looking forward to seeing the team before I dock off and to being on board. We were just waiting in the crew area with a few other skippers and I enjoyed being around them in these last moments before we race around the world."

 (24,300 nautical miles), starting and finishing in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The fleet will head down the Atlantic, around Antarctica, passing the three iconic Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn, before returning north through the Atlantic, aiming to finish between mid and end of January. 

Tight spaces: The 40 boats of the IMOCA fleet trying to get the best start possible this Sunday 10 November 2024 © Jean-Marie Liot / Vendée Globe

With a blend of experience, nautical miles sailed, and an IMOCA boat designed specifically for the Vendée Globe 2024-2025, the German is regarded by press and competitors as 

 in this year’s race. Since his remarkable fifth-place finish in the last edition, his win of the Southern Ocean Leg in The Ocean Race last year, and his back-to-back second-place finishes in the two transats this spring, his potential to secure a podium spot or even win the race has been widely highlighted. However, Boris remains humble and doesn’t let the pressure get to him, as he repeatedly emphasises the incredible level in the fleet, where, in his opinion 6 to 10 skippers are capable of winning or placing on the podium. “A success would be to do a good race for myself, in terms of taking the potential of the boat as well as my own, and have a good time as well. And then we will see the result.”

vice-president of the Yacht Club de Monaco

 and Team Malizia co-founder, accompanied his friend Boris Herrmann in the last days and onboard the IMOCA along the entire channel. He commented: “It’s fantastic. This is the culmination of years of work. Taking the start of a second Vendée Globe means we’ve succeeded in making the project reliable. Everything is ready. We are pleased with Boris’ preparation and the boat. For us, Boris is one of the contenders for the podium, but the Vendée Globe is such a long race with so many variables that, above all, it’s crucial to finish it. I will continue to communicate regularly to support him throughout the race.”

Besides performing at his best on the water, raising awareness for Ocean and climate protection through the adventure of sailing is equally important to Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia, as well as their s

A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! m

ission. "Like in every race, delivery or training we do, I have the OceanPack onboard. This automated laboratory very precisely measures Ocean CO₂ concentrations, temperature and salinity data. By now, we’ve gathered one of the largest accessible datasets, which is freely available for scientists to use to better understand the role of the Ocean in the climate system.” This data is very important, especially in the Southern Ocean, as offshore races sail in the most remote areas of the world, where almost no other boats, including research vessels go.

After a last embrace with his wife Birte and goodbyes with his team, friends, and partners, Boris Herrmann had a final chat with 

. The Monegasque Sovereign had come to the dock to wish the 

skipper fair winds and watch him dock-off. “This scientific and environmental aspect is important to protect the oceans. Boris and the other sailors involved are ambassadors and players in this formidable effort,” enthused HSH Prince Albert II, who came to Les Sables-d’Olonne on Friday to sign a partnership agreement with the Vendée Globe Foundation of which he is Honorary President. Boris Herrmann will also deploy a drifter buoy, as he has done multiple times over the past years, in order to help improve weather forecasting and climate change monitoring.

Boris Herrmann saying goodbye to his wife Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann, their dog Lilli, Team Director Holly Cova and HSH Prince Albert II © Ricardo Pinto / Team Malizia

passed through the channel of Les Sables d’Olonne, an iconic moment of the Vendée Globe race, the Team Malizia crew was amazed by the 

 lined up along the famous harbour exit. “This is incredible, last time was during the pandemic, this time is so different and the support from the cheering crowds is unbelievable”, said 

He reflected: “As a team, we want to consistently continue the work we started. Sport has a wonderful power, it keeps evoking and reminding us of positive emotions. It brings people together across nations, borders, and different views. Seeing such a large crowd here and so many international followers tracking this grand adventure online — I really appreciate the value of the race. So, let’s see if we can get off to a good start here and keep up with the fleet."

Boris Herrmann visibly enjoying the crowds as 

“However, it looks like we will take longer than the usual seven days to reach the Equator”, said the 

. “So I think the chances of beating the 74-day record set by Armel Le Cléac’h are reduced even if the race speeds up quickly with the front forecast at Cape Finistere with a three-to four metre swell.” The decision for tomorrow might be whether to sail inside or outside the traffic separation zone (TTS) at Cape Finistere. “There, the big challenge will be timing the sail changes correctly and navigating the traffic separation zone, which will be physically demanding. We’ll need to hit the waypoints, and it might even mean going a bit faster. This could lead to a particularly strenuous period in a couple of days."

The real challenge of the Vendée Globe lies in the 

required to complete this race. "Eighty days to sail around the world is a lot”, said Boris Herrmann. “I’ll need to break it down into small stages to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I've prepared well for this. I feel in harmony with the boat, mentally and technically ready."

: MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, and Kuehne+Nagel. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions. 

Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi onboard 