This month, Team Malizia celebrates ten years since the creation of the offshore racing team at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The project was born from a shared ambition between Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the YCM and Boris Herrmann to build a competitive offshore racing campaign carrying the values of innovation, teamwork and Ocean stewardship, alongside early partners like EFG, which joined the adventure in the team’s very first year.
Over the past decade, Team Malizia has grown from an ambitious project into one of the leading teams in international offshore racing, competing in the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race while using its platform to advocate for ambitious climate action.
The story of Team Malizia began in 2016 at the Yacht Club de Monaco, where Pierre Casiraghi, a passionate offshore sailor, envisioned the creation of a modern Ocean racing team rooted in Monaco’s maritime heritage and open to the world. Together with his friend, German skipper Boris Herrmann, the pair laid the foundations for what would become Team Malizia: combining sporting excellence, technological innovation and a commitment to Ocean protection.
Named after “Il Malizia,” the nickname of François Grimaldi, the team has proudly carried Monaco’s colours and what became known as the “Malizia spirit” across the world’s Ocean for the last ten years.
Following its beginnings in the GC32 foiling catamaran circuit, Team Malizia quickly set its sights on offshore racing and the ultimate challenge of the Vendée Globe. In 2017, the team launched its first IMOCA campaign with Seaexplorer – Yacht Club de Monaco, paving the way for Boris Herrmann’s historic first Vendée Globe participation, while firmly establishing Team Malizia on the international stage. The next major milestone came in 2022 with the launch of Malizia – Seaexplorer, the team’s first new-build IMOCA designed for the demanding conditions of the Southern Ocean and for both fully-crewed and solo racing, which went on to compete in The Ocean Race and a second Vendée Globe.
Over the past decade, Team Malizia has completed multiple round-the-world races, achieved several podium finishes and broken the world monohull distance record, while becoming internationally recognised for integrating climate science and educational outreach into offshore racing. German media has recently described the team as a flagship project in German sailing, standing out for its long-term structure and breadth of activity.
Through onboard scientific instruments, its global education programme My Ocean Challenge, a mangrove reforestation project, and now a dedicated research vessel, Malizia Explorer, the team has developed its “A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!” mission, establishing itself as a leading platform at the intersection of offshore sport, Ocean science and education.
Now, as Team Malizia enters its second decade, the team is preparing to unveil its next-generation IMOCA later this June, opening a new chapter ahead of future transatlantic races, The Ocean Race 2027, and Boris Herrmann’s third Vendée Globe campaign in 2028.
Among the earliest partners to support the project, EFG has accompanied Team Malizia throughout its 10-year journey, contributing to the development of a long-term and structured offshore racing programme. Today, EFG and the team are proud to announce the renewal of their partnership, a collaboration grounded in a shared ambition to perform at the highest level, strong teamwork, and the resilience required to navigate the highs and lows of elite competition.
This renewed commitment extends the partnership through 2030, supporting continuity within the wider network of long-term main partners that underpin the team’s programme. It provides further stability as the team prepares its next campaign cycle, invests in innovation, and pursues its sporting ambitions while continuing to inspire the next generation.
Ten years after its creation at the Yacht Club de Monaco, Team Malizia continues to move forward with the same spirit that shaped its beginnings, combining elite offshore racing with a mission to inspire action for the Ocean and the planet.
Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, said: “Ten years ago, Boris and I set out to build far more than just a racing team. Our goal was to create a long-term project combining sporting ambition, innovation, and a genuine commitment to the ocean. We also wanted to inspire younger generations and spark new vocations in sailing. Looking at what Team Malizia has become today, I feel extremely proud of the journey we have shared with our sailors, partners, and supporters over the past decade. What makes this milestone particularly special is that the spirit with which we started in Monaco remains exactly the same today.”
Boris Herrmann, skipper of Team Malizia, said: “When I look back at what we started ten years ago, it still feels a bit unreal how far this idea has come. It began as an ambitious dream shared with Pierre, and it only became reality because people believed in it early, stayed with us through every step, and continue to be part of the journey today. That kind of trust is rare in professional sport, and it’s something I, and the team, never take for granted. Today, Team Malizia is a solid structure competing at the highest level, but what makes it special is not just the racing. It’s the fact that alongside performance and innovation, we are building something with meaning. We are proud that partners like the Yacht Club de Monaco and EFG are not only supporting our sporting ambitions, but are genuinely sharing our passion for the Ocean, for science, and for passing something on to the next generation.”
Giorgio Pradelli, CEO of EFG International, said: “Team Malizia’s A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now! mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its six main partners: the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, and KPMG Germany. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.”
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