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

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.

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

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

Team Malizia's Leg 2 crew in Matosinhos/Porto, from left to right: Flore Hartout (onboard reporter), Justine Mettraux, Francesca Clapcich, Will Harris, and Loïs Berrehar

Team Malizia and Biotherm at the Matosinhos/Porto Fly-By

Skipper Will Harris before deploying the prototype drifter buoy in the Bay of Biscay on 19 August 2025

Onboard reporter Flore Hartout capturing photos yesterday of Team Malizia's frequent companions, the dolphins

Malizia - Seaexplorer and co-skipper Loïs Berrehar in front of Matosinhos/Porto this 20 August 2025

After a three-hour stop, Team Malizia is back racing in Leg 2 towards Cartagena

After an intense race that stretched from the tricky waters of the Solent to the Bay of Biscay and a push down the Portuguese coast, Team Malizia crossed the line of the Leg 2 Matoshinhos/Porto Fly-By in fourth place. Following a short three-hour stopover, the crew has already set off again on the second stage of the leg, racing towards Cartagena, Spain, where The Ocean Race Europe 2025 battle continues.

Team Malizia flying in front of Matosinhos/Porto in Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia Flies By Matosinhos/Porto And Pushes Towards Spain In The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia Flies By Matosinhos/Porto And Pushes Towards Spain - Day 4 - Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Three days into Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe, the Bay of Biscay has delivered on its promise: tension, exhaustion, and a fleet locked in a dead heat. Less than five miles separate the top five boats as they approach Cape Finisterre, with Team Malizia holding their ground in the thick of the fight.  Since yesterday’s reset off Ushant, when the leaders were swallowed by light winds and tide, compressing the entire fleet into a handful of miles, the race has become a pure test of speed and stamina. Flat seas and a light to medium breeze have offered no escape routes, just relentless hours of trimming, hand steering, and racing within sight of their rivals.  At the sharp end, Holcim-PRB and Biotherm have traded the lead repeatedly, while Malizia, Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive, and Paprec Arkéa remain poised to strike.  Let’s take a closer look at what has unfolded over the last 24 hours since yesterday’s start… 

Ain’t No Time To Loose - Day 3 - Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe

Will Harris our skipper for Leg 2

Fleet compresses at Ushant after a sleepless night, as the drag race to Portugal begins.  The first 24 hours of the second leg of The Ocean Race Europe delivered a rollercoaster night for the IMOCA fleet. After blasting out of Portsmouth in strong downwind conditions, the seven teams were brought to a standstill off Ushant, trapped in a transition zone where the breeze collapsed and the race reset itself.

Dreamy Foiling Conditions - Day 2 - Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe

Skipper Will Harris and co-skippers Francesca Clapcich and Loïs Berrehar during the Sailors Parade

Skipper Will Harris, moments before docking-off in Portsmouth

The start guns going off on the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes

Malizia - Seaexplorer setting sail in Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Onboard reporter Flore Hartout capturing co-skipper Loïs Berrehar at the helm of Malizia - Seaexplorer

At 17:00 local time in Portsmouth, UK, Team Malizia led by skipper Will Harris, set off on Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe. The fleet of IMOCAs will cover 1,400 nautical miles to Cartagena, Spain, on the longest stage of the race. With double points at stake and conditions ranging from strong Solent currents to light Bay of Biscay winds and unpredictable Mediterranean weather, every mile will count.

Malizia - Seaexplorer has set sail in Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

 Team Malizia, Skippered by Will Harris, Sets Off on The Ocean Race Europe 2025’s Longest Leg 2

Francesca Clapcich, who will be onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in the upcoming Leg 2, congratulating Justine Mettraux

With 14 points up for grabs in Leg 2, there is a lot to play for Team Malizia's crew skippered by Will Harris

Loïs Berrehar will race onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in Leg 2 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

The finish line of Leg 2 in Cartagena

On Sunday 15 August, the fleet is lining up again in Portsmouth for the 1,400-nautical-mile sprint to Cartagena, Spain, with a Fly-By in Matosinhos/Porto, Portugal. With double points on offer and bonus points at The Needles scoring gate, the fight for a potential 16 points in the longest leg of the race promises high stakes from the very start.

Will Harris onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

How To Follow The Leg 2 Start Of The Ocean Race Europe In Portsmouth

Cole Brauer explaining how foils work on the boat.

For the first stop of The Ocean Race Europe, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Center in Portsmouth opened its doors to Team Malizia’s My Ocean Challenge and 60 local children. The young participants learned about the race, Team Malizia’s science mission and nature’s secret weapons against climate change, as well as got out on the water for fun watersports activities!

A Day In, On and About the Ocean - My Ocean Challenge Event in Portsmouth

Malizia - Seaexplorer earlier today as she arrived in Portsmouth

The Team Malizia crew celebrating their second-place finish in Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Co-skippers Cole Brauer, Justine Mettraux, and Will Harris fighting until the very end of Leg 1

Malizia - Seaexplorer finished Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 in second place

The Malizia crew from left to right: Flore Hartout (OBR), Justine Mettraux, Will Harris, Boris Herrmann and Cole Brauer

Team Malizia celebrating in Portsmouth

This Thursday, Team Malizia claimed a podium finish in the opening leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, completing a tight battle from Kiel, Germany, to Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Skippered by Boris Herrmann, the crew onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer fought relentlessly to the very end, grabbing second place in the final moments of the leg, earning six points, and kicking off their European campaign with a strong start.

Team Malizia grabbed a second-place finish in the last moments of Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia Takes Second Place in Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

This morning, anyone checking the race tracker might have been surprised to see the positions completely upside down. Due to a lack of wind combined with strong currents, the racing IMOCA teams were tacking, turning, and doing everything possible to inch their way toward Portsmouth. These challenging conditions are not just physically demanding, they’re mentally exhausting for the crews as well.  Let’s take a closer look at what has unfolded over the last 24 hours since yesterday’s update…

They Haven’t Given Up - Day 3 - Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe

About the last 24 hours onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer, changing our mindsets. The fast, foiling conditions of the start have now given way to more varied weather, with light breeze, transitions, and the first signs of the tricky finish ahead. After a very light wind transition our crew is now flying towards Will’s home waters for what is expected to be a tense race until the very end…

Changing Our Mindset - Day 2 - Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe

Team Malizia in Kiel

Team Malizia kicking off The Ocean Race Europe flying on home waters

Leg One of The Ocean Race Europe was promising to be complex and intense and it’s how the first twenty four hours went for the IMOCA Fleet… Read today’s article (and all our daily articles during the race) to know how Team Malizia’s crew is doing onboard! 

Being the Hunters - Day 1 - Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe

Team Malizia during the Sailor's Parade

Co-skippers Cole Brauer and Justine Mettraux during this morning's final weather briefing

Seven IMOCA boats set sail today at the start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Boris Herrmann at the helm of Malizia - Seaexplorer

Malizia - Seaexplorer at the start of Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025

This Sunday afternoon, Malizia – Seaexplorer, skippered by Boris Herrmann, set sail on Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, covering approximately 850 nautical miles from Kiel, Germany, to Portsmouth, United Kingdom. The race got underway in bright sunshine with a brisk westerly breeze, creating fast, flat-water foiling conditions. The atmosphere in Kiel was electric, with enthusiastic fans lining the shoreline and numerous spectator boats cheering on the home team as they departed from their home waters.

Team Malizia Kicks Off The Ocean Race Europe 2025 From Home Waters in Kiel

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia Kicks Off The Ocean Race Europe 2025 From Home Waters in Kiel

Team Malizia is on the start line in Kiel, Germany, ready for the first leg of The Ocean Race Europe 2025. After months of preparation, the wait is over: Today is the official start of this exciting offshore challenge. Here’s how to follow the action from the start.

How to follow the Start of The Ocean Race Europe

Before the race start tomorrow here's a recap about our week in Kiel!

Kiel Stopover - MALIZIANS Season 2 - Episode #2

Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann, Ocean Educator of Team Malizia's My Ocean Challenge

Frank Melzner - Geomar scientist 

A rainy morning in Kiel was made a little brighter today as local children gathered to explore the wonders of the Ocean, learn what it means to be a sailor and discover how the sea shapes our lives and the world within it! Together with The Ocean Race Europe, Kiel Marketing, GEOMAR and ACO, Team Malizia’s My Ocean Challenge education programme welcomed kids for a day full of discovery: from hands-on activities to inspiring conversations with scientists and sailors!

Kids Event to kick off The Ocean Race Europe in Kiel!

Jolt6 in the Admiral's Cup 2025

The Jolt6 Monegasque team with Malizia sailors Cole Brauer, Will Harris, Oakley Marsch and team co-founder Pierre Casiraghi at the helm

The fleet of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025

Jolt6 and the Fastnet Rock

Yacht Club de Monaco has won the Admiral’s Cup 2025 after a nail-biting finale. Led by YCM vice-president and Team Malizia co-founder Pierre Casiraghi at the helm of Jolt 6 and Peter Harrison on Jolt 3, the two Monegasque teams fought a collective strategic battle right down to the wire of the Rolex Fastnet Race. 

The Jolt6 crew celebrating their Admiral's Cup win

Admiral’s Cup 2025: historic victory for Yacht Club de Monaco

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Boris Herrmann

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