Boris Herrmann begins solo transatlantic race in Malizia 4

German sailor Boris Herrmann is set to begin his first solo race with the new Malizia 4 yacht at the Route du Rhum. The event, held every four years in Saint-Malo, features 115 solo sailors competing on a 3,452-nautical-mile course toward Point-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

Herrmann is the only German competitor in the 13th edition of the race, competing in the Imoca class against 21 other sailors. The Malizia 4 features a radical new design by Antoine Koch, developed with Finot-Conq and Gsea Design, intended to improve speed in lighter winds while maintaining performance in strong winds through a slimmer hull and new foil geometry.

The race presents significant challenges, including extreme sea conditions, physical and mental strain, and potential equipment failure. Herrmann’s recent performance in the Ocean Race Atlantic, where he briefly led the fleet before a collision with marine life damaged his foil system, serves as a precursor to this competition. The team is also using this period to prepare for the upcoming The Ocean Race and the 2028/2029 Vendée Globe.