IMOCA – Malizia-Seaexplorer – Vendée Globe

 

Boris Herrmann has just experienced one of the most gruelling days of his sailing career in his second Vendée Globe. In the middle of the race, he was lying in sixth place when a particularly intense storm broke.

A first for the sailor

“It was one of the craziest days I’ve ever had at sea. It started with a massive front and incessant thunderstorms. It went on all night and all day with pouring rain that I’d never experienced before. The storms were intense with lighting coming from all directions, waves crashing and the boat struggling to stay upright, I was being thrown around. Luckily nothing broke until lightning struck nearby.

“Immediately my screen started flickering. It went blank and the autopilot went out along with some instruments. The alarms started wailing and the boat lost control, lying flat in the water. The wind got up again, lightning started flashing, it was relentless. The sea really showed its teeth yesterday. It’s a day I’ll never forget”.

For over 24 hours, Malizia-Seaexplorer faced extreme conditions.

“Thanks to the shore team, we recovered the autopilot and a set of wind measuring instruments. However, many systems are still down like the radar and the main screen. I no longer have any load sensors, and the keel system is partly manual. But I can charge the batteries and use the desalinator. I still have Oscar and the working pilot. Those that say lightning never strikes twice in the same place are wrong! But maybe that doesn’t apply when the “strike site” is moving!”.

As well as the technical challenges, Boris must continue to deal with the physical and mental constraints. With very little sleep and irregular meals, he still manages to stay on course thanks to his exemplary discipline. “I will now try to rest a little before the next manoeuvre”.