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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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He is racing in the Atlantic again: Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann took the start of the Défi Azimut 48h race today in fantastic foiling conditions. Like many of his 18 competitors, the Malizia - Seaexplorer skipper is sailing in “fake solo” mode, with USA sailor Cole Brauer as watch keeper and Antoine Auriol as onboard reporter, in this last race before the Vendée Globe.

this Thursday afternoon in perfect foiling conditions. The German offshore sailor is racing a 455 nautical mile loop in the Atlantic, from Brittany down to the Bay of Biscay, against 18 other IMOCA boats, and is expected to arrive back in Lorient this Saturday. 

Taking place every year over the course of six days (10-15 September), the Défi Azimut is an established part of Brittany’s IMOCA calendar. The French city of Lorient is the home port of about 20 boats from the IMOCA fleet and where a lot of the expertise, as well as where Team Malizia’s hangar, is located. This year’s Défi Azimut is the last racing event before the much anticipated start of the 

. Following yesterday’s speed runs hosting guests to experience sailing onboard an IMOCA, the fleet has now set sail for a 48h offshore race, which counts in the IMOCA GLOBE SERIES with Boris Herrmann leading this year’s championship. The Défi Azimut will conclude with a tour of the Île de Groix on Sunday. 

Like almost all skippers this year, Boris Herrmann is racing in 

. This means that he is doing all the manoeuvers, taking strategic decisions, or analysing weather files alone, but is accompanied by 

, who did the entire The Ocean Race 2022-2023 with Team Malizia, is back as an 

(OBR) for the week. Both watch keeper and OBR are not allowed to help with performance, i.e. they can’t wake up their skipper if the boat slows down or the wind shifts. However, they are required to warn and help if there is a 

“The Défi Azimut takes place every year and our crew configuration for the 48h race changes depending on what major race is up next”, detailed 

. “We usually race it solo in the years of the Vendée Globe, we did it double-handed last year with Will Harris before the Transat Jacques Vabre. And in 2022, we even raced it in a crew ahead of The Ocean Race."

: “Doing the Défi Azimut is a good general exercise to get the boat ready for the Vendée Globe, and it gives me a few extra moments to remember all the details and procedures. It’s a good addition to all the training, including the Pôle Finistère training sessions, we did recently. We also try to do the start procedure in a similar way to the actual Vendée Globe start, with Will Harris basically taking all the decisions in the run up to the start and me being just a passenger until 6 or 7 minutes before the start. Then, I only proceed doing what he already set up and I really take on the race and make my own decisions.”

docked-off around 1:00 pm this afternoon and members from the tech team conducted the usual final checks at sea in the two hours before the warning signal. They also kept an eye on the nearby boats whilst Boris Herrmann, Will Harris, and Cole Brauer focussed on discussing the strategy for the start. The tech team then stepped off 

a few minutes before the start. At 3:00 pm sharp, the fleet made its way under a sunny sky, calm seas, 10-14 knots of northwesterly wind, and ideal foiling conditions. Off to a 

, Boris Herrmann crossed the line amongst the first boats and sailed at the top of the fleet. About 10 minutes later, he changed his headsail, switching from a J2 to J0 (code zero), a manoeuvre that led to a couple of boats overtaking him but is likely costing him only temporarily.

After passing the island of Groix to port, the fleet is now heading south in a very fast-paced course, with six waypoints (course markers) to round on a 455-nautical mile route in the Bay of Biscay. “First, we will race on a long downwind leg all the way along the French coast”, commented the 

 earlier today. “The wind will pick up during the afternoon and evening, and we will have to round the first waypoint off the coast of Royan, likely this evening.” After that, the IMOCA yachts will continue with a bit of reaching before getting into upwind conditions. 

 explained in the skippers briefing this morning that this will help spread out the fleet and prevent the boats from crossing each other as some still race south, whilst the first ones head back north. “We will then go into lighter and lighter conditions, the race course sends us to the Glénan islands before a short downwind leg and crossing the line near Lorient in a very light and a bit unpredictable finish”, said 

. The leading IMOCA yachts are expected to arrive on Saturday morning.

Over the course of the 48-hour race, Antoine Auriol is capturing both photos and videos to tell the story of the race and to make fans worldwide feel like they are onboard their favourite boat. He filmed the start live and the 

 is available on Team Malizia’s and the Défi Azimut’s websites for anyone to follow live.

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, 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. 

The IMOCA fleet at the start of the 2024 Défi Azimut 48h race ©️ Jean-Marie Liot / Défi Azimut

 skippered by Boris Herrmann was off to a great start ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

Boris Herrmann in the front pack at the start of the Défi Azimut ©️ Vincent Curutchet / Défi Azimut

Boris Herrmann before the dock-off this Thursday 12 September ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

After passing the island of Groix to port, the IMOCA fleet is heading south ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

Boris Herrmann and his Malizia - Seaexplorer are off to a flying start in the Défi Azimut 48h rac

Défi Azimut: Boris Herrmann Off To A Flying Start In Final Race Before Vendée Globe

Yesterday, Boris Herrmann's Malizia - Seaexplorer was rolled out of her shed in Brittany and craned back into the waters of Lorient's harbour. The Team Malizia racing yacht underwent an intense refit over the summer, which was also the final one before the start of the Vendée Globe. 

 As of yesterday late afternoon, Team Malizia’s racing yacht is back at her usual spot in the harbour of Lorient, France, and will resume training in the Brittany waters very soon. This summer's refit was a special one, as it was the last time 

 was out of the water and in her hangar before the Vendée Globe this November. Over the past two months, the technical team checked every little detail to ensure everything on the boat is ready and in top condition, and even made a few improvements to get Boris Herrmann's IMOCA racing yacht "Vendée ready". The boat re-launch continues into today, but Malizia's technical team is already giving a few insights on what they have been working on.

Getting a boat ready for the Vendée Globe is highly specialised work!

“The Vendée Globe is a unique race", says Team Malizia's technical director, Pifou Dargnies. "It is a non-assisted solo race, so Boris needs to be able to repair almost everything onboard by himself. This means that, as a tech team, we have to rethink everything onboard so it can be easily interchanged.”

Over the summer, the IMOCA boat has been fully checked. Co-skipper Will Harris explains: “It’s the last time we will get a full check over the boat before the start of the Vendée Globe in just over a couple of months. The main thing the team has really been doing is checking the reliability, replacing all the ropes, and making sure everything is ready to sail around the world. Everything is now kind of ready to go. We were really happy with the performance of the boat after the two transatlantic races so haven’t done any huge changes to the boat. We have the same foils and the same layout on the inside. So really it was good to validate during the transats. And now, the mission is really making sure we are really a hundred percent reliable for the Vendée Globe.”

The British sailor continues: “There is everything from the ropes to the electronics to the composite system on the boat, and it’s just about making sure these systems have been serviced properly. That there is nothing that can potentially be damaged or broken. And once Boris is alone, he’s really by himself. So he’s got to fix anything that happens. Any minute or hour that he’s spending doing these things during the Vendée Globe is time taken away from the racing. And currently, he’s focussed on the actual race so the more we can do now, the more he will be able to focus on that. And what the technical team has been doing the last few weeks will hopefully mean a performance increase for Boris during the Vendée Globe.” 

Electronics play a huge role on a racing boat like 

. All instruments—autopilot, wind sensors, foils sensors, etc.—are electronic. In the past few weeks, Team Malizia ensured everything was functioning correctly, especially after the lightning strike experienced in New York in May. Almost all cables have been replaced and reinforced. The screens and autopilot have been adjusted to ensure everything is easily repairable.

With as much electronics onboard, having a reliable energy and power system is important. And during a race as long as the Vendée Globe, it is even crucial. Boris Herrmann now has spare hydrogenators, so he will be able to replace them if needed. The solar panels have been cleaned and enhanced to generate more energy. The batteries, vital for storing this energy, have also been thoroughly checked.

When at sea for 80 days, staying in touch with the shore team, friends and family, as well as Malizia fans is essential! Being able to communicate with the race direction and your team on land is also a safety aspect. All the antennas onboard 

 have been tested and repositioned in strategic locations for easy access. The Team Malizia skipper also has a backup system onboard.

All the ropes have been replaced. They endure significant strain during sailing, and after two transatlantic crossings this year, it was time for fresh, brand-new ropes. The major task during the upcoming sailing sessions will be to set up these ropes and mark all reference points. Team Malizia’s rigger Olivier Cusin comments: “For the rigging part, the goal of this summer’s refit was to change and replace as much as possible. In terms of timings, it was not possible to do it all, but most of the running rigging had been replaced and part of the standing rigging had already been changed at the beginning of the year. So we only changed the J2 cable that holds the mast forward. Now, it is time to confirm all the setups and be ready for the training next week.” 

Earlier this year, Team Malizia installed a new pair of foils on their IMOCA. Since then, the team has been working on optimising them for greater efficiency and versatility in all conditions. Some parts of the boat have been reinforced by the boat builders to ensure 

is strong enough to fly through the Southern Ocean once again! Boat builder Clément Caumont explains: "This summer the boat building department has been busy reinforcing the structure of the boat to make sure she was ready for the Southern Ocean. If all goes well, Boris won’t have to use some glue and resin during his race!” He added: “We are very happy with this new set of foils, we have tested them, raced across the Atlantic twice, and it's been great to see how well they have been performing early on. We have been working on the set up to makes sure they were out of the water and more versatile in every conditions"

While some sails are new and reserved for the Vendée Globe, all the older sails have been thoroughly inspected to ensure there are no rips. Team Malizia’s Jesse Naimark-Rowse commented: “As part of our summer refit and after the two transatlantic races in the spring, we defined exactly which sails we are going to use for the Vendée Globe. Most of them are new, including the main sail. It is a big job to make a new main and get it fitted to the boat. Almost all the sails are new, the ones that aren’t have only been used a very little bit. For the Vendée Globe, you are allowed to carry 8 sails, including the main and the J4 which is like a storm jib. We will be testing everything in the next few weeks.”

There have been minimal changes in this area, as skipper Boris Herrmann was already very happy with the setup and the improvements made during this winter's refit. The cockpit seat now has a new cushion for added comfort, even during long hours. The mattress for the bunk has also been upgraded, and many new storage pockets have been installed to help Boris Herrmann stay organised and quickly find what he needs.

is now back in the water, and after tomorrow’s final checks, she will be ready to fly again! The next training session is scheduled for the end of the week, so let's hope the Brittany weather plays along and for the ones lucky enough to spend some time nearby, maybe they will even spot Boris Herrmann and his 

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

was rolled out of the shed in Lorient ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

Team Malizia on Tuesday, launching their 

 once last time before the Vendée Globe ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

Boat is in the water, foils are in, next up is the mast ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

Once the boat is in the water with her foils, everything needs to be prepared on the rigging side to install the 29-meter mast ©️ Marie Lefloch / Team Malizia

Yesterday, Boris Herrmann's Malizia - Seaexplorer was rolled out of her shed in Brittany and craned back into the waters of Lorient's harbour. The Team Malizia racing yacht underwent an intense refit over the summer, which was also the final one before the start of the Vendée Globe. 

Malizia Seaexplorer launch after the summer refit in Lorient

Boris Herrmann's Malizia - Seaexplorer Ready to Tackle the Final Stretch Before the Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann bereitet sich auf seine zweite Vendée Globe vor, eine Segel-Regatta alleine und nonstop um die Welt.

 Alle vier Jahre startet in Frankreich das härtestes Solo-Segelrennen der Welt. 80 Tage allein um die Welt. Ein Drittel der Boote, die starten, schaffen es nicht bis in Ziel.

Im November 2024 ist es wieder so weit! Boris Herrmann startet dann zum zweiten Mal bei dem Rennen der Superlative. Was das für Mensch und Material bedeutet, veranschaulicht die Dokumentation „Boris Herrmann – Segel am Limit“ die am 30.9.2024 ihre Weltpremiere im Rahmen eins Special Screenings auf dem Filmfest Hamburg  im Haus der Hapag-Lloyd AG feiert. Begleitend zum Start der „Vendée Globe“ wird der Film dann im November 2024 in der ARD ausgestrahlt und in der Mediathek verfügbar sein.

Boris Herrmann gilt als einer der Stars der globalen Seglerszene. 2021/21 segelt er die härteste Non-Stop-Regatta der Welt zum ersten Mal. Das Segelrennen der Superlative ist Boris Herrmanns Lebenstraum, der ihn jedoch körperlich wie emotional komplett an seine Grenzen bringt. Noch an Bord schwört er sich, diese Regatta nie wieder zu segeln. Doch kaum ist Herrmann wieder an Land, beginnt er, ein komplett neues Schiff zu konstruieren – ein Vabanque-Spiel. Die richtigen Neuerungen können große Vorteile bringe, überreizt er es aber, droht der Totalausfall. Es wäre das Ende seiner Karriere.

Die Dokumentation „Boris Herrmann – Segel am Limit“ zeichnet ein sportlich interessantes aber auch ein sehr intimes Porträt des deutschen Extremseglers. Noch nie hat Boris Herrmann eine Filmcrew so nah an seinem Leben, seiner Motivation und seinen Emotionen teilhaben lassen. Zum ersten Mal sprechen sein Vater und auch seine Mutter über die Kindheit und die familiären Hintergründe des Segelstars. In sportlichen wie persönlichen Schlüsselmomenten begleitet ihn der Film von Jan Zabeil durch die Höhen und Tiefen der Vorbereitungen seiner nächsten großen Herausforderung: der Vendée Globe 2024/25!

Christian Beetz kommentiert dazu: „Ich kann persönlich kaum fassen, woher man die Nerven nimmt für so ein Rennen! Die Segler suchen ja auf dem Wetter-Tracker die Stürme und Orkangebiete. Und dann fahren sie genau dort hin und versuchen „draufzuspringen“, um so ein Tief zu reiten. Naja, und wenn man zu dicht an ranfährt, crasht man halt das Boot. Ich war schon viele Jahr lang begeistert von Boris Hermann und es war für uns ein absolutes Muss jetzt diesen Film zu produzieren, der ihn nicht nur als Sportler zeigt, sondern auch persönlich als faszinierenden Menschen.“

Die Mission von Team Malizia A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! ist nur durch das starke und dauerhafte Engagement seiner sieben Hauptpartner möglich: Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, der Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, die Zurich Gruppe Deutschland, Kuehne+Nagel und MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. Diese Partner stehen hinter dem Team Malizia, um dessen Kampagne zu unterstützen. Jeder von ihnen arbeitet an Projekten in seinem Bereich, um innovative Lösungen für die Klimakrise zu finden.

Beetz brothers film production ist eine der international führenden Produktionsfirmen für dokumentarische Produktionen im Prime-Segment und produziert national wie international gefeierte, vielfach preisgekrönte Dokumentarfilme und -serien für Kino, TV und Streaming. Mit über 250 Filmen und mehr als 100 Auszeichnungen wurde beetz brothers film production 2024 von dem Branchenmagazin Realscreen international als einer der Top 10 Koproduktionspartner ausgezeichnet. Beetz brothers film production ist seit Oktober 2022 Teil der LEONINE Studios und steht für engagierte Filme, mitreißendes Storytelling und ein breitgefächertes Themenspektrum von packenden Crime-Dokus über ungewöhnliche Biografien, wie „Juan Carlos – Liebe, Geld, Verrat“ (Canneseries), spektakuläre Natur- und Abenteuerserien bis hin zu zeitgenössischen Musik- und Kulturproduktionen. Zuletzt wurden die Kino-Dokumentarfilme „Eternal You – Vom Ende der Endlichkeit“ (Sundance) und „Gefährlich nah – Wenn Bären töten“ (Dok.fest/Sky/ARD) sowie das international erfolgreiche Netflix Original „Crime Scene Berlin – Nightlife Killer“ veröffentlicht.

Neue Doku: Boris Herrmann - Segeln am Limit

Neue Doku: Boris Herrmann – Segeln am Limit

The non-profit organisation The Ocean and Us has partnered with the professional offshore sailing Team Malizia to rally support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining and secure the protection of the High Seas, our global commons.

 Whilst competing in the toughest offshore races, 

 is dedicated to raising awareness about Ocean protection, collecting valuable Ocean data from the most remote areas of the world, and inspiring ambitious climate action. Today, Team Malizia is thrilled to announce its collaboration with 

, a key partner in the ocean advocacy world, thus furthering its 

A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! 

mission. This collaboration comes as The Ocean and Us is launching the Ocean Hope Expedition, a project connecting people to the Ocean and building collective resistance to 

, before the International Seabed Authority meets in July 2025 to decide whether to open the High Seas to mining.

Momentum to stop deep-sea mining is growing. Twenty-seven governments are calling for a moratorium or a pause on deep-sea mining, as are hundreds of civil society groups, scientists, financial institutions as well as many tech and electric vehicle companies demonstrating that metals from the deep-sea are not needed for the energy transition. Despite this momentum, time is running out.

“We have lost over two thirds of global wildlife and each one of us is feeling the impacts of the climate crisis”, explains 

. “We cannot afford to embark on a new form of ecocide. The good news is this is an industry that has not yet started and for which global resistance is growing. I am therefore thrilled to partner with Team Malizia to bring hope and importantly empowerment to all and stop this next disaster from starting. Together with Team Malizia and others across the sports, music and art world, we can ramp up support to stop this reckless industry.”

“As sailors, we spend a large part of our time on the High Seas, providing a window to the world on this often overlooked yet significant part of our planet”, comments 

. “With our sport comes a responsibility to be stewards of the Ocean. We can no longer leave Ocean conservation to scientists and activists alone. We must have all hands on deck to protect the global Ocean and prevent deep-sea mining from starting.”

Although they are now officially announcing their partnership, Team Malizia and The Ocean and Us have already joined forces several times this past year. Most recently, Farah Obaidullah and Boris Herrmann participated in a 

. The event was co-organised by Team Malizia and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment as part of the sailing team’s Ocean conference series. The event featured high-level speakers, scientists, and Ocean advocates, and was endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Later this year Farah Obaidullah will embark on 

, travelling down the western coast of the Americas from Alaska to Chile and engaging with key stakeholders to gather support for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. Along the way, local, regional and international personalities from the worlds of music, sailing, art, conservation and government will join her to spark conversations and unite to prevent this next disaster from happening. The journey will be chronicled on YouTube and other social media to gain worldwide support. 

Boris Herrmann (left) and Farah Obaidullah (fourth from the left) at the Malizia panel debate in New York on the urgency to protect the High Seas this 23rd May ©️ Dani Devine / Team Malizia

The Ocean and Us is registered in the Netherlands with a mission to secure healthy oceans for the sake of human survival and wellbeing, and as a moral duty to all living beings. It believes that in order to accelerate ocean solutions, the diversity of people working around the world for the ocean must be promoted. 

Farah Obaidullah is a long time ocean advocate, the founder of The Ocean and Us and Women4Oceans. In 2023 Farah launched a petition calling on world leaders to secure a moratorium on deep-sea mining. 340,000 signatures were collected in the first two months and delivered to the Dutch Parliament. As a Greenpeace veteran, Farah has successfully led and executed ocean campaigns on land and at sea around the world. Farah is also the editor of the book The Ocean and Us, a first of its kind, exploring all the ways our lives interact with the ocean. 

To learn more, receive sponsorship packages and support The Ocean Hope Expedition, contact The Ocean and Us at info@theoceanandus.org , or visit the dedicated donation page at 

https://donorbox.org/support-ocean-and-us

 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, 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.

Team Malizia and The Ocean and Us have been working together several times over the past year, including in New York this spring © Farah Obaidullah / The Ocean and Us

slogan on its sails and measures valuable Ocean data to help further research as they race around the world ©️ Antoine Auriol / Team Malizia

Team Malizia and Farah Obaidullah at a panel debate during The Ocean Race in June 2023 ©️ Felix Diemer / Team Malizia

Team Malizia and The Ocean and Us are partnering to protect the High Seas ©️ Felix Diemer / Team Malizia

Team Malizia spreads its A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! message as it sails on the High Seas

Team Malizia Partners With The Ocean and Us to Protect the High Seas

Team Malizias Profisegler Boris Herrmann hat heute den Deutschen Meerespreis der Prof. Dr. Werner Petersen-Stiftung erhalten, in Würdigung seiner vielfältigen Verdienste als Botschafter der Meere und zur Vermittlung von Themen der Meeresforschung in die breite Öffentlichkeit. Der Preis wurde gemeinsam mit dem GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel unter der Schirmherrschaft von Daniel Günther, Ministerpräsident des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, im Rahmen einer festlichen Veranstaltung mit 200 geladenen Gästen vergeben.

Auf seinen Segelrennen rund um die Welt ist 

im Wettlauf gegen die Zeit – mal allein und mal gemeinsam mit seiner Crew Wind und Wellen ausgesetzt. Seine sportlichen Leistungen verfolgen viele Fans in Deutschland und aller Welt. Doch dem Segler geht es nicht nur um die sportliche Konkurrenz: Den gesellschaftlichen Kampf gegen den Klimawandel sieht er als ein Rennen, das wir alle gemeinsam gewinnen müssen. 

 – der Slogan auf dem Segel der Rennyacht 

 lässt keinen Zweifel daran, was auf dem Spiel steht. Bereits seit Jahren engagiert sich Boris Herrmann mit seinem Team Malizia daher für den Schutz des Ozeans, unterstützt die Wissenschaft mit Unterwegs-Daten von Regatten, die ihn oft in entlegene Meeresregionen führen, und setzt sich für die Ozeanbildung ein.

In Würdigung seiner vielfältigen Verdienste als Botschafter der Meere und zur Vermittlung von Themen der Meeresforschung in die breite Öffentlichkeit erhielt Boris Herrmann heute den 

. Die mit 20.000 Euro dotierte Auszeichnung wurde unter der Schirmherrschaft von Daniel Günther, Ministerpräsident des Landes Schleswig-Holstein am 

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel verliehen. Zur Festveranstaltung wurden etwa 200 Gäste aus Wissenschaft, Sport, Wirtschaft und Politik eingeladen.

 „Der Kampf gegen den Klimawandel ist ein Wettlauf gegen die Zeit – gewinnen können wir ihn nur, wenn sich alle Menschen auf der Welt engagieren. Dieses Engagement braucht eine breite Wissensbasis, und es braucht Daten aus allen Regionen des Ozeans“, sagte 

GEOMAR-Direktorin Professorin Dr. Katja Matthes

. „Boris Herrmann trägt einerseits die Botschaft zum Schutz unseres Ozeans in alle Welt und sammelt andererseits rund um den Globus wichtige Informationen für unsere Forschung. Sein Handeln inspiriert viele Menschen weltweit, auch uns Forschende. Der Deutsche Meerespreis würdigt seine wichtige Rolle als Vermittler und seinen beeindruckenden Einsatz. Wir gratulieren aufs Herzlichste, mit Spannung verfolgen wir die kommenden Regatten und freuen uns auf weitere gemeinsame Projekte.“

 würdigte den Preisträger als engagierten Klimaschützer und Unterstützer der Wissenschaft. „Boris Herrmann ist ein großartiger Sportler und ein Vorkämpfer für die Umweltbildung. Sie haben sich den Kampf gegen die Erderwärmung sprichwörtlich auf die Segel geschrieben und sind ein Vorbild mit Ihrer Art, Herausforderungen anzupacken“, sagte Günther. Mit seinem langjährigen Einsatz für den Klimaschutz und die Ozeane sei Boris Herrmann ein mehr als würdiger und verdienter Preisträger: „Wir sind in Schleswig-Holstein sehr stolz, Ihnen den Deutschen Meerespreis 2024 verleihen zu dürfen. Herzlichen Dank für Ihr großes Engagement.“

„Die Professor Dr. Werner Petersen-Stiftung sieht sich in der Pflicht, auch solches Engagement zu fördern, das dem nachhaltigen Entwicklung und dem Schutz der Ozeane dient“, erklärte 

Dr. h.c. Klaus-Jürgen Wichmann, Vorsitzender Prof. Dr. Werner Petersen-Stiftung

. „Mit der diesjährigen Verleihung des mit 20.000 Euro dotierten Deutschen Meerespreises gemeinsam mit dem GEOMAR und unter der Schirmherrschaft des schleswig-holsteinischen Ministerpräsidenten ermöglicht die Stiftung nach 2018 erneut die Auszeichnung von Personen, die sich durch besonderen Einsatz für den Erhalt, Schutz oder die Vermittlung von Wissen um und über die Meere verdient gemacht haben. Die vielfältigen Verdienste des Profiseglers Boris Herrmann, dem weltweit anerkannten Botschafter der Meere, werden damit in eindrucksvoller Weise gewürdigt.“

Eine Auszeichnung, die das Engagement des Profiseglers zum Schutz des Ozeans würdigt

Für Boris Herrmann erfüllte sich 2020 ein Jugendtraum, als er als erster Deutscher die Vendée Globe absolvierte. 2024 tritt er erneut in der Nonstop-Einhandregatta um die Welt an. Im Jahr 2023 nahmen er und sein Team mit der Malizia-Seaexplorer am Ocean Race teil – mit einem spektakulären Fly-By in der Kieler Förde. Für das Ocean Race Europe, das im August 2025 in Kiel startet, hat das Team Malizia ebenfalls seine Teilnahme angekündigt. Im Mai 2024 lief Boris Herrmann nach der Transatlantik-Regatta The Transat CIC als zweiter in New York ein. Auch die New York Vendée nach Les Sables d’Olonne beendete er unlängst als gefeierter Zweiter. Er ist Träger des Bundesverdienstkreuzes am Bande.

„Was wir mit Team Malizia bewegt haben, berührt mich mit Stolz. Dazu zählen die wachsende Popularität und Begeisterung für unseren Sport, aber allen voran das sichtbare Engagement für Bildung und Wissenschaft zum Schutz von Klima und Ozean. Dieser Preis ehrt die langjährige und zielgerichtete Arbeit des gesamten Teams, unsere Partner und Unterstützerinnen und Unterstützer weltweit und nicht zuletzt meine Frau Birte mit unserem Bildungsprojekt 

. „Wir sehen diese Auszeichnung als Ansporn, unsere Mission mit Nachdruck weiter fortzuführen, nach Lösungen zu suchen und vor allem die Menschen weltweit für Ozean- und Klimaschutz zu begeistern.“

Den Segler verbindet eine langjährige Zusammenarbeit mit dem GEOMAR, welche gleichzeitig als Ursprung der mittlerweile vielfältigen Verbindungen zwischen der Forschung und dem deutschen Profi-Segelsport gesehen werden kann. Seit Anfang 2024 ist Boris Herrmann auch 

Botschafter des Deutschen Komitees der Ozeandekade (ODK)

, deren Kontaktstelle am GEOMAR beheimatet ist.

Das GEOMAR koordiniert verschiedene Programme im Rahmen der Dekade der Meeresforschung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Vereinten Nationen und trägt auch darüber hinaus auf vielerlei Weise zur Erreichung der Ziele der Dekade bei. Einen Schwerpunkt der Arbeiten des GEOMAR bildet das globale 

 zur Erforschung und Vorhersage von Auswirkungen des Klimawandels und anderer menschliche Einflüsse auf den Ozean.

Zur Gewinnung von Daten tragen neben wissenschaftlichen Expeditionen, autonomen Messgeräten und Handelsschiffen auch Segelyachten als „Ships of Opportunity“ bei. Führend ist hierbei die von der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft geförderte Innovationsplattform 

„Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities” (SOOP)

. Gemäß seinem Titel will SOOP einen „Ozean der Möglichkeiten“ für Kooperationen zwischen Wissenschaft und Industrie schaffen. Entstehen sollen nachhaltige Strukturen und Technologien für die Ozeanbeobachtung, um den Zugang zu Messdaten zu verbessern und das Wissen über unsere Meere auszubauen. An Wassersportler:innen in der Ostsee richtet sich das vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) unterstützte Projekt „Sailing for Oxygen“, in dessen Rahmen Segelcrews Daten zu Sauerstoff-Konzentrationen in der Ostsee sammeln.

 ist nur durch das starke und dauerhafte Engagement seiner 

 möglich: MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, der Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, die Zurich Gruppe Deutschland und Kuehne+Nagel. Diese Partner stehen hinter dem Team Malizia, um dessen Kampagne zu unterstützen. Jeder von ihnen arbeitet an Projekten in seinem Bereich, um innovative Lösungen für die Klimakrise zu finden.

Boris Herrmann (Mitte) ist Träger des Deutschen Meerespreises 2024. Es gratulieren (von links nach rechts): Dr. Christian Zöllner, stellvertretender Vorsitzender und Geschäftsführer der Prof. Dr. Werner-Petersen-Stiftung,  GEOMAR-Direktorin Professorin Dr. Katja Matthes, Daniel Günther, Ministerpräsident des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, und Dr. h. c. Klaus-Jürgen Wichmann, Vorsitzender der Prof. Dr. Werner-Petersen-Stiftung. Foto: Thomas Eisenkrätzer, GEOMAR © Thomas Eisenkrätzer / Geomar

Boris Herrmann mit dem Ocean Pack an Bord seiner 

 - Team Malizias Mission steht auf den Segeln ihrer 

Boris Herrmann und Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann haben das Bildungsprogramm 

Boris Herrmann received the German Ocean Award 2024 at Geomar in Kiel on 19 June 2024

Boris Herrmann erhält den Deutschen Meerespreis 2024

The German professional sailor Boris Herrmann received the “Deutscher Meerespreis” (German Ocean Award) of the Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation in recognition of his engagement as an ambassador for the Ocean and for communicating marine research topics to the general public. The prize was awarded today jointly with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel under the patronage of Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, during a ceremony with about 200 guests.

During his offshore races, Boris Herrmann is not just interested in the sports competition: To him and his Team Malizia, the fight against climate change is a race that we must win together. 

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now! 

– the slogan painted on the sails of their 

 race yacht leaves no doubt what is at stake. For years, Boris Herrmann and his team have been committed to protecting the Ocean, supporting science by collecting data during races that often take them to remote Ocean regions, and by campaigning for Ocean education.

In recognition of his engagement as an ambassador for the Ocean and for communicating marine research topics to the general public, Boris Herrmann received the 

“Deutscher Meerespreis” (German Ocean Award)

today. The award, endowed with 20,000 euros, will be presented under the patronage of Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, in cooperation with 

Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Around 200 invited guests from the worlds of science, sport, business, and politics attended the ceremony at GEOMAR in Kiel, Germany this evening.

“The fight against climate change is a race against time – and we can only win it if everyone in the world becomes involved. This engagement needs a broad knowledge base, and it needs data from all regions of the Ocean,” said 

GEOMAR Director Professor Dr Katja Matthes

. “On the one hand, Boris Herrmann carries the message of protecting our Ocean around the world and on the other, he collects important information for our research around the globe. His actions inspire many people around the world, including us researchers. The German Ocean Award recognises his important role as an ambassador and his impressive commitment. We congratulate him most sincerely and will be following the upcoming races with excitement and look forward to further joint projects.”

 honoured the awardee as a committed climate ambassador and supporter of science. “Boris Herrmann is a great sportsman and a champion of environmental education. The fight against global warming is literally written on your sails, and you are a role model with your way of tackling challenges,” said Daniel Günther. With his many years of commitment to climate protection and the Ocean, Boris Herrmann is a more than worthy and deserving winner: “We in Schleswig-Holstein are very proud to be able to present you with the German Ocean Award 2024. Thank you very much for your great commitment.”

“The Professor Dr Werner Petersen Foundation sees it as its duty to also promote such activities that serve sustainable development and the protection of the Ocean,” explained 

Dr h.c. Klaus-Jürgen Wichmann, Chairman of the Prof. Dr. Werner Petersen Foundation

. “By awarding of the German Ocean Prize endowed with 20,000 euros, together with GEOMAR and under the patronage of the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, the foundation once again makes it possible to honour people who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation, protection or communication of knowledge about the Ocean. The engagement of the professional sailor Boris Herrmann, globally recognised ambassador of the Ocean, is thus impressively honoured.” 

For Boris Herrmann, a childhood dream came true in 2020 when he became the first German to complete the Vendée Globe. In 2024, he will once again participate in the non-stop single-handed race around the world. In 2023, he and his team took part in The Ocean Race with their 

– with a spectacular fly-by in the Kiel Fjord. Team Malizia has also announced their participation in The Ocean Race Europe, which will start in Kiel in August 2025. In May 2024, Boris Herrmann was second in New York after the transatlantic race The Transat CIC. He also recently finished the New York Vendée return race to Les Sables d’Olonne in a celebrated second place. He has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

A recognition of the professional sailor’s commitment to Ocean conservation

“I am proud of what we have achieved with our Team Malizia. This includes the growing popularity and enthusiasm for our sport, but above all the visible commitment to education and science to protect the climate and the Ocean. This award honours the long-standing and focused work of the entire team, our partners and supporters worldwide and, last but not least, my wife Birte with our educational programme ‘My Ocean Challenge’,” said award winner 

. “We see this award as an incentive to continue our mission with vigour, to look for solutions and, above all, to get people around the world excited about Ocean and climate protection.”

, which can also be seen as an origin of the now diverse connections between research and German professional sailing. Since the beginning of 2024, Boris Herrmann has also been an ambassador of the 

GEOMAR coordinates various programmes within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and also contributes in many other ways to achieving the goals of the Decade. One focus of GEOMAR's work is global Ocean monitoring for researching and predicting the effects of climate change and other human influences on the Ocean.

In addition to scientific expeditions, autonomous measuring devices and merchant ships, sailing yachts also contribute to the collection of data as “ships of opportunity”. The innovation platform 

“Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities” (SOOP)

, which is funded by the Helmholtz Association, is leading the way here. In line with its project title, SOOP aims to create an “Ocean of possibilities” for cooperation between science and industry. The aim is to create sustainable structures and technologies for Ocean observation in order to improve access to measurement data and expand knowledge about our Ocean. The project “Sailing for Oxygen”, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF), is aimed at water sports enthusiasts in the Baltic Sea and involves sailing crews collecting data on oxygen concentrations in the Baltic Sea.

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

 - our mission slogan is painted on the sails of our 

Boris Herrmann and Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann created the 

The German professional sailor Boris Herrmann received the “Deutscher Meerespreis” (German Ocean Award) of the Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation in recognition of his engagement as an ambassador for the Ocean and for communicating marine research topics to the general public. The prize was awarded today jointly with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel under the patronage of Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, at a ceremony with invited guests.