Francesca Clapcich sailing on the family boat in Italy

Meet Francesca Clapcich — Italian-American offshore sailor, Olympian, and history-maker as the first Italian to win The Ocean Race. Discover how she turned a childhood spent on a tiny boat called Mezza Mela into a record-breaking career. Now joining Team Malizia for the 2025 season, Francesca is set to sail our Malizia - SeaExplorer before launching her own Vendée Globe campaign. A passionate advocate for diversity, sustainability, and ocean protection, she’s a force reshaping the world of offshore racing.

We’re super happy to welcome Francesca Clapcich into the Malizia family! An Italian-American sailor with a truly impressive track record, Francesca is one of those people who seem to live and breathe offshore racing.

Get To Know: Francesca Clapcich

Boris Herrmann (GER), Team Malizia's skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Will Harris (ENG), Team Malizia's co-skipper and skipper when Boris Herrmann is not onboard for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Cole Brauer (USA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Francesca Clapcich (ITA/USA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Justine Mettraux (SUI), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Loïs Berrehar (FRA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Flore Hartout (FRA/NED), Team Malizia's onboard reporter for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Antoine Auriol (FRA/GER), Team Malizia's onboard reporter for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Julien Villion (FRA), also joins Team Malizia to support the preparations for race on land while also sailing onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer on other occasions this year

Malizia - Seaexplorer is ready to race in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 this summer

Team Malizia returns to Kiel, Germany, after a successful Fly-By in The Ocean Race in 2023

The Ocean Race Europe 2025 route

Team Malizia announces their full line-up for the upcoming Ocean Race Europe 2025. Building on their successful round-the-world experience in 2023, the team led by German skipper Boris Herrmann has gathered a talented group of sailors and onboard reporters to take on the short-format, crewed race starting in Kiel this summer.

Team Malizia's crew for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Team Malizia Unveils Full Crew For The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Malizia - Seaexplorer comes out of the shed after her post-Vendée Globe refit and with exciting new upgrades

Malizia - Seaexplorer's new hybrid propulsion system

Putting the V3 foils back into Malizia - Seaexplorer for the 2025 season

New ropes from technical partner Gleistein

Malizia - Seaexplorer was relaunched on 6 May 2025 with exciting new technical upgrades

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia is kicking-off their 2025 crewed racing season with the relaunch of their Malizia - Seaexplorer earlier this week and exciting upgrades. The racing yacht now features a groundbreaking hybrid-electric propulsion system, marking a significant step towards more sustainable offshore racing. New technical partners Molabo and Fischer Panda join the team to support this innovation, driving performance while reducing environmental impact.

Malizia - Seaexplorer is back in the water and ready for the 2025 crewed racing season

Malizia - Seaexplorer Relaunched With Hybrid-Electric Power Ahead Of New Racing Season

Team Malizia Relaunch Their IMOCA Yacht With Hybrid-Electric Power Ahead Of New Racing Season

Boris Herrmann onboard the new Malizia Explorer sailing research vessel ©️ Antoine Auriol | Team Malizia

Malizia Explorer

The Malizia Explorer announcement was made by Boris Herrmann (fifth from the left) at the German Ocean Conference on 6 May 2025

Malizia Explorer was launched in April in Lorient, France

Malizia Explorer will carry out scientific mission globally

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia is upscaling their climate research efforts with a new sailboat, Malizia Explorer, dedicated to science, communication and outreach. This new project builds on the team’s core mission: while continuing to race and collect scientific data with Malizia - Seaexplorer, the team will expand their efforts with Malizia Explorer to carry out dedicated research expeditions. Building on the success of their A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now! mission, the team is calling for collaborators, scientific projects, and partners to support this bold initiative. Already on board as a key partner is Reederei F. Laeisz, along with renowned scientific institutions AWI, GEOMAR, Hereon, and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Our Team Malizia is upscaling its climate research efforts with a new sailboat, Malizia Explorer, dedicated to science, communication and outreach. This new project builds on the team’s core mission: while continuing to race and collect scientific data with Malizia - Seaexplorer, we will expand our efforts with Malizia Explorer to carry out dedicated research expeditions. Building on the success of our A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now! mission, we are calling for collaborators, scientific projects, and partners to support this bold initiative. Already on board as a key partner is Reederei F. Laeisz, along with renowned scientific institutions AWI, GEOMAR, Hereon, and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Team Malizia Sets Sail On A New Mission With Malizia Explorer Research Vessel

Team Malizia Sets Sail On A New Mission With Their Malizia Explorer Research Vessel

The trainees dig deep into the world of offshore sailing

Last week, Team Malizia welcomed eight young talents from our partner SCHÜTZ to Lorient La Base for an intensive seven-day programme, officially launching our new Lighthouse Project. Organised by our team member Cornelius, the trainees discovered the world of offshore racing, technical boat work, Ocean education, and life behind the scenes as our team prepares for the 2025 sailing season and The Ocean Race Europe.

Teaching, Learning & Sailing: A Recap of Our First Lighthouse Project Session with SCHÜTZ

Boris Herrmann

Team Malizia’s skipper Boris Herrmann and the German fashion brand OLYMP have now launched their third collection made of 100% more sustainable materials. Called “Uncover”, this new collection consisting of seven pieces focuses on a traceable supply chain. In addition to using organic cotton, it offers a glimpse behind-the-scenes and marks another step in their ongoing effort to make clothing that is both responsible and diverse.

Boris Herrmann and OLYMP Bare All With Third Capsule Collection “Uncover”

We’re kicking off a brand new season with the launch of VlogBook, our refreshed vlog series that takes you right into the heart of Team Malizia’s world. Through this series, we’ll share the technical challenges, sailing preparations, training sessions, kids events, and science projects that shape our daily life.

Discover VlogBook Episode One: The Tech’ Takeover

Malizia Seaexplorer in the shed during the refit

Team Malizia is gearing up for an exciting 2025 offshore racing season as our Malizia - Seaexplorer undergoes her winter refit. With new races on the horizon and fresh challenges ahead, the team is hard at work behind the scenes preparing for another action-packed year on the water. From the high-profile Ocean Race Europe to our ongoing mission of ocean advocacy, we’re inviting you to join us for another thrilling season of crewed IMOCA sailing and environmental engagement.

2025 Team Malizia Racing Calendar 

Jetzt bewerben! Planet Hero Award 2025

Zusammen mit unserem Partner Zurich Gruppe Deutschland suchen wir die Planet Heroes 2025. Seit 2021 unterstützt der Planet Hero Award jährlich die besten und wirkungsstärksten Projekte und Initiativen zur Verbesserung des Umwelt- und Klimaschutzes.

Bewerbt euch für den Planet Hero Award 2025!

Listening, learning and sharing - this evening was an evening full of inspiring conversations and hope. 

On the 29th of March 2025, honorary Alster Lockkeepers Luisa Neubauer and Boris Herrmann invited the Alster Lockkeepers committee, former Alster Lockkeepers, friends, family and famous faces from within the climate movement for a special boat ride down the Elbe to Entenwerder, where they spent a mild early summer evening exchanging inspiring conversations under the motto of a Climate Get Together.

Climate Get Together on the Elbe With Luisa Neubauer and  Boris Herrmann 

The Malizia - Seaexplorer in action

After sailing approximately 100,000 nautical miles, completing two circumnavigations of the globe, and finishing six transatlantic crossings, the Malizia - Seaexplorer is now being handed over to Team Francesca Clapcich Powered By 11th Hour Racing, who are setting their sights on the 2028 Vendée Globe.

Maliza - Seaexplorer race yacht handed over to Team Francesca Clapcich Powered By 11th Hour Racing 

Boris Herrmann’s Maliza - Seaexplorer race yacht handed over to Team Francesca Clapcich Powered By 11th Hour Racing 

In this edition of the My Ocean Challenge Newsletter, we look back on our race season and explore the history of our climate! You might even uncover climate secrets from before you were born - unlocking the mysteries of the world around you!

My Ocean Challenge Newsletter #13 - climate detectives!

Team Malizia is looking to fill the position as Head of Logistics! If the job description fits your qualifications, please consider applying. We really look forward to hearing from you!  

Job Opportunity: Head of Logistics

We’re looking to fill a new positions in our team! If the job description sounds like a good fit for you, we’d love to receive your application. Find out more below! 

Job Opportunity: Logistics Intern

Boris Herrmann and state council Christoph Holstein

The Imoca "Malizia - Seaexplorer" and skipper Boris Herrmann received the award for Best German Offshore Yacht 2025 at the eighteenth German Offshore Award on the evening of 6 March 2025. The ceremony took place at Hamburg City Hall and honoured the sensational 2nd place in the New-York Vendée Race 2024.

Boris Herrmann awarded The German Offshore Award 2025 in Hamburg City Hall

Wherever you live in the world, you have likely encountered at least one of the subjects we explore in the latest episode of the My Ocean Challenge video series. Today, we’re talking about Climate Detectives!  Appearing in many shapes and forms - both living and non-living - climate detectives help scientists reconstruct Earth’s past climate.  Happy learning!

My Ocean Challenge Video - Episode 6 - CLIMATE DETECTIVES

In Beyond the Race, Boris opens up like never before. From his fear of heights when climbing the mast to managing loneliness at sea, he dives deep into the mental challenges he faced. With the help of his mental coach and better preparation, he overcame these hurdles, completly transforming his experience on board.

Boris Herrmann’s second Vendée Globe was nothing like his first. 

Beyond The Race -  Boris Herrmann's Vendée Globe 2024 -2025

Cole Brauer joins Team Malizia as co-skipper

The Carkeek 40 Jolt 6, will be helmed by Pierre Casiraghi in the 2025 Admiral's Cup, marking the Yacht Club de Monaco and Team Malizia's first participation in race

Cole Brauer joins as co-skipper, alongside skipper Boris Herrmann and co-skipper Will Harris, who takes the role of skipper when Boris Herrmann is not onboard

Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia will return to Kiel for the start of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 after an increbidly successful fly-by in The Ocean Race 2022-2023

The My Ocean Challenge programme has reached over 80,000 children worldwide and educational materials are available to download for free in 11 languages

From welcoming US solo sailor Cole Brauer as co-skipper to preparing for a crewed racing calendar filled with firsts, the next six months promise to be particularly exciting for Team Malizia. With new challenges on the horizon, including The Ocean Race Europe, the team is gearing up for another intense season of offshore racing and Ocean advocacy.

Team Malizia looks forward to six thrilling months ahead and kicking-off the 2025 crewed season

Team Malizia Welcomes Cole Brauer As Co-Skipper & Looks Forward To 6 Thrilling Months Ahead

Team Malizia Welcomes Cole Brauer As Co-Skipper And Looks Forward To Six Thrilling Months Ahead

The event is set to take place in the Deichtorhallen Hamburg.

Team Malizia’s My Ocean Challenge is partnering with UNICEF to promote children’s rights and environmental protection through a digital lesson organised around this year’s World Ocean Day.

Upcoming Education Event With UNICEF For World Ocean Day

Stu, our boat captain working on Malizia - Seaexplorer

Corentin removing the foil from our boat before the refit

Malizia Seaexplorer main sail being checked after the Vendée Globe

Olivier, our rigger checking the ropes

Jesse and Tanguy checking the electronics to do list before the refit

After a short but freezing delivery, complete with dolphin escorts, our beloved boat has returned to her home harbour, Lorient. What’s next? The team is already hard at work as Malizia - Seaexplorer is already back into the shed for a well-earned post Vendée Globe refit. All the details about the winter refit plan here. 

A Well-Earned Post Vendée Globe Refit

Boris Herrmann after the arrival of the Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during the channel passage

Team Malizia reunited on the arrival of the Vendée Globe

One week ago, Boris Herrmann set foot on solid ground after 80 days at sea in the Vendée Globe. But now that the race is over, what’s happening within the team? How is Boris recovering, and what’s in store for the 2025 season? Read on to find out more about the race debrief and everything that’s happening right now.

One Week After The Vendée Globe Arrival 

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My Ocean Challenge event in Monaco, in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco

YACHT CLUB DE MONACO

EFG International

Boris as the patron of the Planet Hero Award 2022

Zurich Group Germany

Kuehne+Nagel

MSC 

Hapag Lloyd 175 year anniversary

Hapag Lloyd

SCHÜTZ

My Ocean Challenge Event at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco with Boris Herrmann, Pierre Casiraghi & Léa Olivier.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation