29 May-9 June 2024

Malizia-Seaexplorer skipper Boris Herrmann crossed the finish line of the New York Vendée-Les Sables d’Olonne in 2nd place on Sunday 9th June, having covered 4,112 nautical miles at an average speed of 12.15 knots in 10 days 20 hours 52 minutes and 32 seconds of racing. This is Boris Herrmann’s second podium finish this spring after his 2nd place in the Transat CIC (formerly the English Transat).

Although competing against 27 IMOCAs, Boris Herrmann made a risky but well-thought out strategic decision to be the only one to opt for the northern route that meant he was sailing less than 300nm from Greenland, battling light winds to get to fast downwind conditions that then whisked him along to the French coast: “I didn’t really know if there was still a risk that the front would catch up with us. So I bore away north to get as far away from it as possible,” explained Boris on his arrival.

With two back-to-back second places under his belt after two solo transats, Boris is considered a serious contender for a podium finish in the upcoming Vendée Globe that starts on 10th November. “I think both these two races were excellent preparation for the Vendée Globe. The race to New York was a lot about being in contact with other boats so I could see that my speed was OK. On the return, I was very alone in the north which is a feeling you can have sometimes in the Vendée Globe, so I could train a bit, remembering that feeling and preparing myself for it”.