Here you can see the unwanted sailing route Boris ended up taking. Looks rather like a ballroom dancing step-chart for boats!

Bye Bye Birdie! Yannik Bestaven of Maitre Coq has had to give up his 7th place to Boris! Up, Up and away!

Day 41, and it feels like a blink since the Vendée Globe began. At the front of the fleet, sailors are on track to break records as they near the final cape, while those at the back continue their journey toward the second cape. The immense distance between them underscores the unique versatility of this race - where every competitor is racing their own race, climbing their own Everest.

Pirouetting in the Pacific - Day 41 - Vendée Globe

Whales play a critical role in the Ocean's nutrient cycle.

Antarctic landscape, Brown Station

What are the limits of adaptation for a marine species like the narwhal? What happens, when going further north to find ice is no longer an option?

With temperatures rising, the gender distribution among sea turtles is changing. 

For the past few days, there have been some changes in the Vendée Globe fleet. Boris has moved up to 8th place after holding steady in 10th for quite some time. Yet, while we fixate on tracking the positions of 36 remaining boats as they shuffle through the rankings, it’s easy to forget about the incredible natural movements taking place in the same waters. These regions aren’t just pathways for yachts, they are highways for some of the most remarkable creatures on Earth. Today, let’s dive into the world of marine animal migration. By the end of this, you might find yourself less enthralled by race trackers and dreaming of a marine mammal migration tracker instead. Sorry, not sorry in advance!

Marine Migration: More Than The Eye Can See

After 40 grueling days at sea, Boris Herrmann is navigating through strong winds and chaotic seas. Amid the intensity, he finds a moment to catch a breath of fresh air and even breaks into a dance in his cockpit. With the 60% race milestone in sight, today could be the day Boris overtakes Yannick Bestaven to claim 7th position. Will Boris make his move? Stay tuned for all the action from the Southern Ocean!

Dancing On A Chaotic Sea - Day 40 - Vendée Globe

The rough conditions of the Southern Ocean storms in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

Repairs and a positive mindset (photo taken during the Route du Rhum solo race in 2022)

Extended periods of time at sea can be isolating by their very nature

Team Malizia in the Southern Ocean during The Ocean Race 2022-2023

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

In the Vendée Globe, the world’s toughest solo sailing race, Boris Herrmann and his fellow competitors endure physical challenges but also need to maintain mental strength, stay adaptable, and push forward despite the hardships. The race is a true test of human endurance, showcasing the power of resilience in the face of adversity.

Boris Herrmann and his fellow Vendée Globe competitors endure physical challenges but also need to maintain mental strength, stay adaptable, and push forward despite the hardships.

Through Winds And Waves, Resilience Is Key

After a rough stormy night of little sleep and being tossed around in his bunk, Boris is feeling much better today and he’s now racing in 8th position chasing Yannick Bestaven. He managed to catch up on rest and got stuck into some technical repair on one key part of the rigging… Read Boris race update to know more! 

Repairing a Key Part Of The Rigging - Day 39 - Vendée Globe

Boris enjoying a bit of time on deck

Back To The Future

Day 38 at sea, but as Boris Herrmann crosses the International Date Line, he is back to the future… Let’s hope this journey through time helps him gain miles on the leading pack as he pushes his Malizia - Seaexplorer through the wild conditions of the Southern Ocean.

Back To The Future - Day 38 - Vendée Globe

Zurich Climate Spotlight

Floodings in Germany

Beyond adopting sustainable practices, we must prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change. To help businesses, communities, and public institutions assess climate risks, our main partner Zurich has launched Climate Spotlight Core, an interactive tool developed through Zurich Resilience Solutions which uses Zurich climate data to analyse current and future climate impacts at their customer’s locations, supporting efforts to build resilience.

Aerial Photos of flooding caused by Hurricane Florence in 2018

Climate Spotlight Core, A Comprehensive Climate Risk Analysis By Our Main Partner Zurich

Every day from now until Christmas, we're giving YOU the chance to win exclusive prizes from Team Malizia and a navigation onboard our IMOCA!

One week of Christmas Giveaway!

One week of Christmas Giveaway

The hard work is paying off. Overnight, Boris moved up to 9th position, overtaking Sam Goodchild and putting pressure on Yannick Bestaven and Paul Meilhat. Yannick even joked, “I can feel Boris’ warm breath on my neck,” highlighting the intensity of the chase. Will Boris close the gap in the coming days? Stay tuned as the race heats up in the roaring Southern Ocean.

Storm Mode Activated - Day 37 - Vendée Globe

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

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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. 