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Boris Herrmann

We compete on the highest level in the toughest races, inspire action & create awareness and highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

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This Wednesday night, Boris Herrmann crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 in 12th place at 23:18 CET after 80 days, 10 hours, 16 minutes and 41 seconds at sea. Today, the Team Malizia skipper got to celebrate this great achievement and experience the iconic and emotional channel passage with his team and the cheering crowds of Les Sables d’Olonne.

 - “I feel great and relieved, and I am very happy”, said 

 earlier today after successfully finishing his second Vendée Globe. Also known as the “Everest of the Seas”, the Vendée Globe is considered the greatest challenge in sport. The legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted, round-the-world race started on 10 November 2024 with a fleet of 40 boats. Before this edition, only 114 sailors had ever completed the race out of 200 who started, and Boris Herrmann made history in 2021, when he became the first German to compete in the race.

The course starts and finishes in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, leading the fleet down the Atlantic, around Antarctica, passing the iconic Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn, before returning north through the Atlantic. This Wednesday 29 January 2025, Boris Herrmann onboard 

completed his second solo lap around the world after 80 days, 10 hours, 16 minutes and 41 seconds at sea. The 

 crossed the finish line at 23:18 local time (22:18 UTC) in 12th place, having raced 29,201 nautical miles over ground at an average speed of 15,13 knots.

Difficult weather conditions and an exceptionally competitive field marked this 2024-2025 edition. Unlike the previous race where the competition appeared less homogenous, Boris Herrmann faced a significant number of high-level skippers this time around. “The level of the whole fleet has also improved”, repeated 

 before the race. “Every aspect has gone up a notch in the space of four years.”

There were many key moments during the German sailor’s race, who has now sailed around the world six times (crewed and solo), including clocking

 up yet another Cape Horn crossing, the seventh in his career! An emblematic stage in “race” mode for the skipper who rounded it just 31 seconds ahead of 

). Fierce competition coupled with unpredictable weather conditions jangled competitors’ nerves as they dealt with a range of scenarios over the miles. 

Although weather conditions were not the same as in 2020-2021, and the boat design not always the determining factor, 

 played a key role in the most demanding phases. Designed to sail at speed, the boat was much more stable allowing Boris Herrmann to stay competitive throughout the race and stay in contact with other famous skippers like 

Justine Mettraux, Samantha Davies and Paul Meilhat

. “Compared to the previous one, my boat has a rounder shape, it’s smoother. We did not want a boat that was brought up short by every wave,” he had confided before the start.

However, after sailing over three-quarters of the Vendée Globe with minimal issues, Boris Herrmann faced a series of setbacks in the past three weeks. Although these included technical challenges that could have jeopardised his chances of finishing, nothing could shake his determination. 

One of the big successes for the skipper was how he managed two major personal challenges: fear of heights (when climbing the mast) and loneliness at sea which had such a big impact during his first Vendee Globe in 2020/2021. 

First, he had to climb the 29-meter mast to fix a critical rigging issue. Soon after, a nearby lightning strike damaged key systems, and the hook of his J2 broke, rendering his most used headsail unusable until he managed to repair it, requiring another mast climb. Despite these challenges, Boris Herrmann maintained a strong and positive mindset. 

“What’s great about the Vendée Globe is how you dig deep to find new inner resources. By confronting complex challenges, you discover surprising things about yourself”.

Unbowed, Boris Herrmann never gave up, even after his collision with an OANI (unidentified animal or object) which damaged his port foil on 16 January. Knowing his boat wouldn’t be as competitive anymore, and fearing that the foil, which he had secured, might move and damage the hull, he quickly had to switch his goals to “bringing her home safe”. Soon after, a 

huge storm in the Bay of Biscay with gusts exceeding 65 knots and waves of 8 to 10 metres forced him to slow down in the last days of the race, adding to an already strenuous few weeks. Just over three hours before crossing the finish line, Boris Herrmann sent a photo of a rip in his main sail. He quipped: “Just to spice things up a bit more. We don’t want the finish of this race to be boring, do we?”. As he’s said many times before: “

It proves nothing is finished until the finish line!”

Throughout the race, and supported by his team and their seven main partners, Boris Herrmann had a dual mission: 

raising awareness for Ocean and climate protection 

and collecting vital Ocean data in the most remote areas of the world. 

 "Like in every race, delivery or training we do, I have the 

 onboard. This automated laboratory very precisely measures Ocean CO₂ concentrations, temperature, salinity, and oxygen data. We’ve gathered one of the largest accessible datasets, which is freely available for scientists to use to better understand the role of the Ocean in the climate system.”

 Boris Herrmann also deployed a weather buoy measuring atmospheric pressure, temperature and surface current offshore Cabo Verde.

This Wednesday night , Boris Herrmann finally completed his second solo lap around the world, a success in itself. For this special moment, the Team Malizia skipper wasn’t truly “alone”, as his team and friends joined a live video call when he crossed the finish line, celebrating this achievement with him. Due to extreme weather in Les Sables d’Olonne, with strong winds and massive swell, the shore crew couldn’t board 

until daylight several hours later and Boris Herrmann spent another night alone onboard.

“Boris showed exceptional resilience throughout the race, especially on the final stretch. He overcame technical and logistical challenges with courage and determination, particularly from the Equator onward. Completing a Vendée Globe is an incredible achievement in itself, but it's even more remarkable in these conditions”, comments 

, vice-president of the Yacht Club de Monaco and founder of Team Malizia, who came to meet the sailor for his arrival.

At 15:00 local time, Boris Herrmann onboard his 

, joined by Pierre Casiraghi, his team, many surrounding boats, and cheering crowds finally entered the iconic channel of Les Sables d’Olonne. He had a nice surprise for the occasion: 

, two-time America's Cup winner and skipper of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, whom Boris Herrmann had followed with great enthusiasm during the last edition.

“What fantastic energy here along the long channel we’re sailing through”, said Boris Herrmann today. “Many thousands of people are truly excited, cheering us on, making small posters, holding banners and flags, lots of German flags too. It’s amazing to see how much enthusiasm this race generates.”

After 80 days at sea, several highs and lows, including Storm Herminia, Boris Herrmann was reunited with his wife Birte, their daughter, the entire Team Malizia, partners, and friends with great emotion. “There are things I will miss, the incredible beauty of nature. But I was especially looking forward to those emotional moments of arrival, most of all to returning to the world, seeing people again, and reuniting with friends and family.” Now, another adventure awaits him: the 

, which is captivating Germany, passionate about its most famous offshore sailor.

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!

mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its 

: Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International,  Zurich Group Germany, and Kuehne+Nagel, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. 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. 

First hug in 80 days - Co-skipper Will Harris, Boat captain Stuart Mclachlan, and Boris Herrmann this morning

First hug in 80 days - Co-skipper Will Harris, Boat captain Stuart Mclachlan, and Boris Herrmann this morning ©️ Will Harris / Team Malizia

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during the channel passage

Boris Herrmann during the channel passage

Jimmy Spithill, Pierre Casiraghi, and Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer at the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 arrival

Jimmy Spithill, Pierre Casiraghi, and Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer at the Vendée Globe 2024-2025 arrival ©️ Ricardo Pinto / Team Malizia

Back on land!

Boris Herrmann and Samantha Davies celebrating their respective 12th and 13th place finishes this afternoon

Boris Herrmann and Samantha Davies celebrating their respective 12th and 13th place finishes this afternoon © Mark Llyod / Vendée Globe