"Everyone’s a Favorite. No One’s Safe."
- Romy Kraus
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Ocean Race Europe 2025 is stacked with elite teams — and Team Malizia’s playing to win, not just compete.
“Cape Horn at Sunrise, Records at the Horizon” — Inside Boris Herrmann’s Never-Ending Race
From Hamburg harbors to the world’s wildest waters, Boris Herrmann isn’t just chasing wind — he’s chasing legacy. A relentless offshore sailor with roots in Optimist dinghies and cruising adventures with his dad, Herrmann is one of the most consistent names in elite ocean racing today. Having twice completed the Vendée Globe and podiumed in The Ocean Race, his ambition hasn't eased. In fact, it's grown sharper. With a new squad, deep collaborations, and a fresh multi-year campaign kicking off with the Ocean Race Europe this August, he’s rewriting what long-term planning looks like in sailing. Team Malizia, his operation, isn’t just about speed — it’s about precision, cohesion, and future-proofing their route to the top.
Now, with eyes on The Ocean Race World and Vendée Globe 2028, Herrmann takes us through the making of a campaign that spans oceans and years — and the personal memories that still give him goosebumps.
THE LOWDOWN
Boris Herrmann is gearing up for the Ocean Race Europe 2025 starting August 10 in Kiel, his hometown.
His campaign runs through 2030, strategically using each race as a building block.
Team Malizia includes elite sailors like Will Harris, Cole Brauer, and Francesca Clapcich.
They’re balancing roles across events — rotating legs to stay fresh while training for Vendée Globe 2028.
Herrmann has unfinished business: he’s twice completed the Vendée Globe but is still chasing a podium finish.
Every sailor on the team is doing about 2/3 of the legs; Boris will miss leg two in Europe and parts of the World race.
They’re working closely with partners like the GOMA oceanographic institute and building a new boat.
Ocean Race Europe will be a nail-biter — all top teams, no obvious weak link, and variable weather could flip predictions.
“I Haven’t Achieved My Goal Yet”
Vendée Globe? Twice done. Podium? Still elusive.
Even after 20 years, Boris sees reaching the start line as one of the hardest battles. The goal now is clear: perform, win, improve.
“The difficult thing is to even get to the start line... now we can really try to win races.” — Boris Herrmann
“If you don’t hold back and you give it all... there will be a way.” — Boris Herrmann
“Ocean Race Europe Is Just the Beginning”
Unlike other teams treating Ocean Race Europe as a sideshow, Team Malizia is using it as the main event — the testbed for a campaign stretching to 2030.
This race is about chemistry, real-time data, and mile distribution — every sailor, including Boris, doing roughly two-thirds of the journey. No one’s burning out. Everyone’s locked in.
“This race is really the test platform to bring our team together...” — Boris Herrmann
“We Built a Dream Team”
From Justine Mettraux to Will Harris, Malizia’s rotation is designed like a relay of champions.
They share training, learn across campaigns, and help each other prep for solo races like the Vendée Globe 2028. Will, as sport director, even maps out who sails what — so Boris can focus on the helm, not the schedule.
“We unite forces on the Ocean Race and that means we can also learn from their own projects.” — Boris Herrmann
“Everyone’s a Favorite. No One’s Safe.”
Every boat in Ocean Race Europe 2025 brings something lethal: the last Ocean Race winner, Vendée Globe runner-up, Malizia’s proven squad.
What’s at stake? Podium dreams... and the real risk of finishing last. It’s that close.
“We don’t have the newest boat... but the fascinating thing is that the teams are really on eye level.” — Boris Herrmann
“Cape Horn, Sunrise, and Sodbo”
It’s the memory that sticks — 2010, the Barcelona World Race, sailing next to Thomas Coville’s Ultim trimaran at Cape Horn, snow-dusted mountains breaking day.
“That's of course a highlight of my memories.” — Boris Herrmann
QUICKFIRE
What’s next on your calendar?Ocean Race Europe kicks off August 10 in Kiel.
What’s the ambition this time?Win legs. Win the race. Keep building towards 2028.
How do you choose who sails when?Will Harris handles the master plan — it’s a rotating system to keep everyone sharp.
Are you racing all legs?All but leg two in Ocean Race Europe. Select key legs in the World race.
Biggest risk in Ocean Race Europe?Finishing last — it’s that competitive.
