Malizia-Seaexplorer: A Yacht in Monaco’s Colors and the Prince Albert II Foundation in the « Everest of the Seas »
A yacht representing Monaco and the Prince Albert II Foundation is among the forty IMOCA boats that set off yesterday, Sunday, from Les Sables-d’Olonne for the Vendée Globe Challenge. With Boris Herrmann at the helm (5th place in the 2021 edition), Malizia-Seaexplorer aims to combine fierce competition with a unique opportunity to conduct scientific research during this round-the-world race.
Boris Herrmann and the Vendée Globe 2024
Monaco is making its mark in the Vendée Globe Challenge, known as the « Everest of the Seas, » with the race kicking off yesterday, Sunday, at 1:02 PM from Les Sables-d’Olonne. Among the forty skippers embarking on this epic adventure is Boris Herrmann aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, carrying both the Principality’s colors and those of the Prince Albert II Foundation.
This is Herrmann’s second participation in the legendary solo, non-stop, and unassisted round-the-world race. He made history in 2021 as the first German to compete, finishing in a remarkable 5th place. (Photo ©️ Ricardo Pinto / Team Malizia: Boris Herrmann)
45,000 km and Three Iconic Capes
The fleet of 40 IMOCA boats will sail 45,000 kilometers (24,300 nautical miles), starting and finishing in Les Sables-d’Olonne. Along the way, they will circle Antarctica and round three iconic capes: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn. The race is expected to conclude in January 2025.
Malizia-Seaexplorer, a meticulously designed 18.28-meter yacht, is built to withstand the challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean.
A Race for Competition and Science
The Vendée Globe is not just about competition. As part of the mission « A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now! », Boris Herrmann is equipped with scientific instruments (an OceanPack system onboard and a drifting buoy to be deployed) to assist researchers in studying the ocean’s role in the climate system and improving weather forecasting. The yacht will collect ocean data, including CO₂ levels, temperature, and salinity.
A Monégasque Delegation Led by Prince Albert II
On Saturday, the day before the start, a Monégasque delegation led by Prince Albert II and Bernard d’Alessandri, General Manager of the Yacht Club de Monaco, visited the Vendée Globe docks. They made a special stop at Malizia-Seaexplorer’s berth to meet with the skipper.
Pierre Casiraghi, co-founder of Team Malizia, praised Herrmann’s meticulous preparation and the strong support he receives from partners and his team. He also emphasized Herrmann’s dual role as a competitor and an ambassador for ocean conservation and climate action.
A Strong Start, but a Long Way Ahead
Malizia-Seaexplorer got off to a spectacular start on Sunday, swiftly taking the lead among the 40 IMOCA boats in light winds. However, the 45,000-kilometer journey remains a formidable challenge.
Despite his impressive results in the 2021 Vendée Globe and two second-place finishes in transatlantic races this spring, Herrmann remains humble. Before the start, he highlighted the importance of enjoying the experience and focusing on personal performance, noting the exceptional level of the fleet, where several skippers are strong contenders for victory.
Source : webtimemedias
