Great success for Boris Herrmann just 129 days after the launch

Just 129 days after the launch, Boris Herrmann achieved the first podium place with his new “Malizia 4”. At the transatlantic race Route du Rhum, the Hamburg native came second in the Imoca class one day after the French winner Corentin Horeau. Germany's best-known sailing professional mastered the solo classic from Saint-Malo in France over 3,542 nautical miles to Pointe-à-Pitre on Guadeloupe in ten days, 20 hours, 8 minutes and 36 seconds.

When Boris Herrmann successfully crossed the finish line on his third Route du Rhum at 9:10 a.m., 18 of 22 Imoca soloists were still in the race. Herrmann's second place is a great success for the six-time circumnavigator, but above all it represents an important stage on the way to new and even greater challenges.

On January 17th, the Ocean Race, the most important team race around the world, starts in Alicante, Spain, in which Boris Herrmann takes part with his team Malizia. But the long-term goal is Herrmann's third Vendée Globe. The solo circumnavigation is scheduled for 2028/29.

Best placement for Boris Herrmann

115 soloists in six classes started the 13th edition of the Route du Rhum on November 1st. Herrmann's silver is his best result in this race after fifth place in 2018 and the disappointing 22nd place four years ago.

But of course the Route du Rhum also has it all. There have been 18 failures on the transatlantic route so far. Two podium candidates also withdrew from the race with injuries: the Frenchman Jérémie Beyou suffered a traumatic brain injury and several fractures of the vertebrae and ribs, while the Italian Ambrogio Beccaria had to end the regatta with severe muscle bruises and difficulty breathing after a fall in the cockpit.