Team Malizia's co-skipper Julien Villion shortly after the start of The Ocean Race Atlantic

The inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic is underway. Team Malizia's crew, comprising skipper Boris Herrmann (GER), co-skippers Cole Brauer (USA), Justine Mettraux (SUI), Julien Villion (FRA), and onboard reporter Gauthier Lebec (FRA), made an excellent start, crossing the start line of the transatlantic sprint to Lorient, France, in first place. 

Skipper Boris Herrmann steering Malizia 4 first across the start line of The Ocean Race Atlantic

Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia First Across the Line as The Ocean Race Atlantic Begins

Team Malizia's crew for The Ocean Race Atlantic, from left to right: Boris Herrmann, Gauthier Lebec, Cole Brauer, Julien Villion and Justine Mettraux

Skipper Boris Herrmann shortly before docking-off in New York

Co-skipper Justine Mettraux onboard Malizia 4 and in front of the Manhattan skyline

Boris Herrmann saying goodbye to his long-time co-skipper Will Harris who is sailing this race onboard their former Malizia - Seaexplorer (now 11th Hour Racing) before returning to Team Malizia for The Ocean Race 2027

Co-skipper Cole Brauer saying goodbye to fans and teams as she departed from her home state

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia 4 in front of Downtown Manhattan

Today's departure was marked with an iconic backdrop as Malizia 4 headed out for her first ever race

The Ocean Race Atlantic route

Team Malizia has departed New York aboard Malizia 4 and is now heading offshore towards the start line of The Ocean Race Atlantic. Following the Sailors' Parade and Dock-Out Show, the crew, skippered by Boris Herrmann, sailed past the Statue of Liberty alongside the five other IMOCA teams under grey skies and light winds, as dedicated spectators lined the waterfront despite the rain to give the fleet a warm send-off. After making its way to the start line located approximately 100 nautical miles offshore, the fleet will officially begin racing on 2 September, setting course across the North Atlantic for Lorient, France.

Boris Herrmann and his crew have left New York and are now heading offshore for the start of The Ocean Race Atlantic and Malizia 4's racing debut

 Team Malizia Departs New York Ahead of The Ocean Race Atlantic Start

Fewer than 1000 people visit Scoresby Sund each year. Yet this remote fjord system in East Greenland, the largest fjord system in the world, holds knowledge that can help us understand changes happening far beyond Greenland…so we want you to come onboard to join us during our live streamed “Classroom From The Fjord”!

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What is it really like to cross the Atlantic aboard a 60ft IMOCA? Alice joined the crew of Team Malizia’s brand-new Malizia 4 for her first-ever transatlantic, sailing 3,200+ nautical miles from Lorient, France, to New York in 13 days. From foiling and stormy nights to technical challenges, life onboard and the first arrival into New York, her vlog captures the sailors, the boat and the reality of life at sea on Malizia 4’s first Atlantic crossing.

13 days. 3,200+ miles. France to New York. Life onboard Malizia 4.

Manhattan skyline seen from onboard Malizia 4 as she arrived in New York for The Ocean Race Atlantic

This Tuesday 1 September, Team Malizia and their five competitors line up on the start line of The Ocean Race Atlantic. Racing 3,200 nautical miles from New York to Lorient, this new transatlantic sprint will be Team Malizia’s first race with their newly launched Malizia 4 yacht. Here’s your guide on how to follow the start in New York and the race to France. The boats are expected to arrive in Lorient around 8-9 September.

Skipper Boris Herrmann is eager to put his new Malizia 4 to the test against his old Malizia - Seaexplorer (now known as 11th Hour Racing, see on the right-hand side of the photo)

How To Follow The Ocean Race Atlantic

Malizia 4, Team Malizia new build has already proven to be a very versatile foiling yacht

Skipper Boris Herrmann is eager to put his new Malizia 4 to the test against his old Malizia - Seaexplorer (now known as 11th Hour Racing, seen on the right-hand side of the photo)

Co-skippers Justine Mettraux (left) and Cole Brauer (right) onboard Malizia 4

Co-skipper Julien Villion (right) will bring his navigation and weather routing expertise to the crew and race for the first time alongside Boris Herrmann (center)

Malizia 4, skippered by Will Harris for the delivery, arrived in New York City on 24 August 2026, before racing back to Lorient starting 1 September 2026 © Marie Lefloch | Team Malizia

From launching their new Malizia 4 race yacht in France to crossing the Atlantic and sailing more than 6,500 nautical miles in less than two months, Team Malizia has been through a fast-paced period of testing and training. Boris Herrmann and a new crew combination now face a fleet mixing proven race machines with the latest generation of IMOCAs in The Ocean Race Atlantic, a new 3,200-nautical-mile sprint from New York to Lorient and an important step as the team builds towards The Ocean Race 2027.

Malizia 4 in the North Atlantic during the delivery to New York in August 2026

Malizia 4 Set for Racing Debut as Team Malizia Takes on The Ocean Race Atlantic

Cole read onboard Malizia 4

Alice Callow on the arrival in New York

Malizia 4 arriving in New York

Cole Brauer arriving home in New York

Will Harris celebrating the arrival in New York

After 13 days at sea, our crew finally arrives in New York aboard Malizia 4, completing Malizia 4 first Atlantic crossing. From endless ocean, changing weather and life onboard with five professional sailors to the first sight of the Statue of Liberty, her final diary captures the emotions, chaos and unforgettable moments of sailing into one of the world’s biggest cities. A last look at life onboard before stepping back onto dry land, and a reflection on the people, adventure and ocean that made this crossing so special.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 13 - Thirteen Days to New York

The crew of Malizia Explorer and researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute are ready to set sail to Kangertittivaq, Greenland 

Malizia Explorer is expecting rough conditions, as the summer season slowly comes to a close 

A research team from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) is now researching on board the science and outreach sailing yacht Malizia Explorer how incoming Atlantic Water spreads through the Kangertittivaq fjord systems on the east coast of Greenland and how noises from ships affects underwater life in the fjord. 

Setting off to the largest fjord system with AWI: studies of Atlantic waters and anthropogenic underwater noise 

Will Harris with the OceanPack

Will Harris moments before deploying the drifter buoy from onboard Malizia 4

Since 2018, every race, training or delivery is an opportunity Team Malizia takes to contribute to Ocean and climate research

As they deliver Malizia 4 to New York ahead of The Ocean Race Atlantic, Team Malizia’s crew has deployed a weather buoy in the North Atlantic. The scientific instrument will now drift with the Ocean currents, collecting data that is vital for improving weather forecasts and monitoring climate change. While our team has carried scientific equipment aboard our IMOCA yachts since 2018, this marks the very first weather buoy deployment from our brand-new Malizia 4.

The drifter buoy Team Malizia deployed in the North Atlantic on their way to New York for The Ocean Race Atlantic

Team Malizia Deploys Weather Buoy En Route To New York

Squalls onboard Malizia 4

Alice thought Day 12 onboard Malizia 4 might be her final full day at sea, but the Atlantic had other plans. As the ETA for New York continues to shift, she experiences another day of constantly changing conditions, from rain squalls and calm seas to 30+ knots of wind and powerful waves. Along the way, she searches for mysterious fins on the horizon, discovers a tiny bird taking refuge onboard and gets a closer look at the science being carried out beneath the deck. With Team Malizia’s OceanPack collecting around 25,000 ocean data points every day, Alice reflects on the team’s mission to combine high-performance ocean racing with a deeper understanding and protection of the ocean.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 12 - Maybe Our Last Sunset (Maybe Not)

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Cole Brauer onboard Malizia 4

Loïs Berrehar onboard Malizia 4

Justine Mettraux onboard Malizia 4

Will Harris & Ellen MacArthur

With New York getting closer, Alice’s first transatlantic crossing onboard Malizia 4 is entering its final days. In Day 11 of her Onboard Diary, she reflects on the power of the new IMOCA despite having to limit her speed following the starboard foil casing issue, and takes a closer look at the sailors who have made the delivery so special. From Julien’s navigation and Justine’s instinctive sail trimming to Lois’s love of life at sea, Cole’s infectious energy and Will’s leadership, Alice shares the personalities behind the team. She also discovers the story of what inspired Will to become a sailor, before taking Malizia 4’s Mavic 4 Pro drone footage out over the Atlantic and getting another glimpse of what the boat could do when finally unleashed.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 11 - Waiting to Be Unleashed

Ten days into her first transatlantic crossing onboard Malizia 4, Alice finds herself facing one of the hardest parts of life at sea: slowing down. With very little wind pushing their arrival in New York back by several days, Day 10 becomes an unexpected lesson in patience, perspective and enjoying the quieter moments onboard. As the crew cleans, rests and waits for the wind, they also deploy a scientific drifter buoy for The Ocean Race and OceanOPS, which will spend the next three to four years collecting data from the ocean. From a frustrating morning to a sunny afternoon filled with music, sailing and conversations, Alice discovers that sometimes the slow days can be the most memorable ones.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 10 - 800 Miles to New York

Lois Berrehar & clothes drying onboard Malizia 4

Sunrise onboard Malizia 4 during the delivery to New York

After days of fog, grey skies and damp conditions, Day 9 onboard Malizia 4 finally brings sunshine and a glimpse of blue during the transatlantic delivery from Lorient to New York. As the crew crosses the Banks of Newfoundland and heads towards the Gulf Stream, Alice reflects on the raw, unpredictable beauty of life at sea, from sleeping through the noise and movement of the IMOCA to sunrise over the Atlantic and getting to know the sailors around her. But the calm doesn’t last long: by evening, another storm is waiting on the horizon, complete with satellite tracking, sea shanties and a soundtrack for the next adventure.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 9 - The Ocean Has Other Plans

Eight days at sea and Alice is starting to settle into the chaos. After another night spent outrunning thunderstorms, Day 8 aboard Malizia 4 brings quieter moments to reflect on the strange simplicity of life in the middle of the Atlantic. From weather routing and boat maintenance to hand-steering at speed and watching Cole and Justine in their element, Alice discovers the routines, people and moments that are making her first transatlantic crossing so special. As the fatigue starts to catch up with her, there is one feeling that remains: she feels very lucky to be there.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 8 - Settling Into the Chaos

Will Harris sailing onboard Malizia 4

Lois Berrehar sailing onboard Malizia 4

The watch system goes out the window as Malizia 4 is swallowed by a strange and unpredictable weather system. With the crew trying to keep the boat below 15 knots following the foil casing issue, Day 7 becomes a constant battle between Malizia 4’s natural desire to fly and the need to keep her safe. From a tense night of wind shifts and cockpit manoeuvres to drone footage, seabirds and quiet moments of life at sea, Alice’s latest Onboard Diary takes us through another day of her first transatlantic crossing.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 7 -  Taming the Beast

Sporks onboard Malizia 4

Julien Villion eating onboard Malizia 4

Cole's feet while she's repairing the foil case

Will Harris repairing onboard Malizia 4

Cole Brauer sailing onboard Malizia 4

Day 6 of Alice’s Onboard Diary brings an unexpected turn during Malizia 4’s first transatlantic delivery from Lorient to New York. After a night of strong winds and heavy foiling conditions, the crew carries out a routine inspection of the new IMOCA and discovers an issue with the starboard foil casing. Alice takes us inside the tense moments that follow as Will, Cole, Justine and Julien work together to secure the system, before the mood onboard slowly lifts again. Through her eyes, we discover not only the challenges of sailing a brand-new IMOCA across the Atlantic, but also the teamwork, resilience and human stories that make life onboard so special.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 6 -  Today Took A Bit Of A Turn

Malizia 4 sailing in the fog in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

Alice showering onboard Malizia 4

Alice Callow flying the drone from onboard Malizia 4

Malizia 4 in the fog

Lois eating onboard Malizia 4

Justine Mettraux onboard Malizia 4 doing a sail change

One minute, Alice is taking an Atlantic shower in the fog; the next, she’s clinging on inside Malizia 4 as the boat accelerates into 26 knots of wind. Day 5 of her Onboard Diary captures the extraordinary contrasts of life at sea during her first transatlantic crossing from Lorient to New York. From a drone rescue and a technical troubleshooting mission to full foiling, helmets and waves crashing across the deck, Alice takes us inside the most intense day of her journey so far and shows us what it really feels like to experience Malizia 4 at speed.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 5 - Am I scared? 100% I am!

Julien Villion onboard Malizia 4 eating his breakfast

Justine Mettraux onboard Malizia 4 at night

Night onboard Malizia 4, sailing instruments

Cole Brauer sailing at night onboard Malizia 4

Sail change onboard Malizia 4

Lois & Justine doing a sail change onboard Malizia 4

Will Harris onboard Malizia 4

After four days onboard Malizia 4, Alice is starting to discover the people behind the sailors. As the lighter winds create time for conversations, she learns about Julien and Justine’s journeys into offshore sailing, their first transatlantic experiences and the instincts they have developed after years at sea. Between these quieter moments, Malizia 4 is still pushing towards 30 knots, giving Alice another glimpse into the technical skill, teamwork and human touch behind life onboard during her first transatlantic delivery.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 4 - Meeting the People Behind the Sailors

Alice Callow onboard Malizia 4

Will Harris steering onboard Malizia 4

Malizia 4 flying across the Atlantic Ocean

The wind has arrived, and suddenly life onboard Malizia 4 feels very different. After two days of calm conditions, Alice gets her first real taste of the boat at speed as the crew launches into action, Malizia 4 begins to fly and the boat reaches around 30 knots. From the middle-of-the-night sail change to clinging on through the foiling and launching a drone over the Atlantic, Alice’s Day 3 diary puts us right in the middle of the action, giving us a front-row seat to the speed, adrenaline and incredible teamwork onboard.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 3 - Hold On Tight

Onboard Malizia 4 during the delivery from Lorient to New York

Will Harris eating onboard Malizia 4

Julien Villion onboard Malizia 4 working on the weather routing

Alice working on her laptop onboard Malizia 4

What does it really feel like to live onboard Malizia 4? Team Malizia’s Onboard Reporter Alice is finding out one day at a time during her first transatlantic crossing from Lorient to New York. In Day 2 of Alice’s Onboard Diary, she takes us inside the everyday reality of life at sea, from freeze-dried meals and watch rotations to fixing a small leak and learning the quirks of offshore sailing. Through Alice’s eyes, the little details, funny mishaps and quiet moments make us feel like we’re right there onboard with the crew.

What does it really feel like to live onboard Malizia 4? Alice is finding out, one day at a time. From meals and watch rotations to fixing leaks and the occasional offshore mishap, her Day 2 diary takes us into the everyday reality of life at sea. Through her eyes, the little details, funny moments and quiet routines make us feel like we’re right there onboard with the crew.

Alice’s Onboard Diary - Day 2 - The Little Things

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Boris Herrmann

Cole Brauer

Justine Mettraux

Julien Villion

Gauthier Lebec

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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Boris as the patron of the Planet Hero Award 2022

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Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

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

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