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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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New year, new foils, new round-the-world challenge: Team Malizia has relaunched its Malizia - Seaexplorer IMOCA yacht after an intense three-week refit. In that short period of time, the technical team was confronted with major challenges and, pulling off a tremendous effort, managed to turn the situation around to finish the boat in time for The Ocean Race.

 Team Malizia’s sailing crew arrived from Guadeloupe to Alicante on 12 December 2022, marking the start of a tightly scheduled refit period before the beginning of The Ocean Race 2022-23. The shore crew quickly proceeded with their long job list in order 

to check the boat, carry on with some repairs and adapt the boat from a solo to a crewed configuration

. However, during an ultrasound check, the team soon learned that the 

“We are still investigating how this happened exactly but it is 

 with such new foils'' explains Skipper Boris Herrmann. “Luckily, it happened now and not during The Ocean Race. That was a real blow to us. However, 

 and had the opportunity to fall back on another pair of new foils. Normally it takes half a year to manufacture them. All in all, this means an 

, the team have done an amazing job and even had to work over Christmas. The new foils are being fitted and adjusted over the coming days. This problem caused a setback to our preparations but the team has pulled together and I think 

 as they have managed to turn this around in such a short amount of time. Now, I am excited to get back on the water with the crew and compete in this amazing race very soon.”

With the boat back in the water and the new foils being fitted this week, the refit is coming to an end. The whole team is now in Alicante and the sailing crew composed of skipper Boris Herrmann (41, German), co-skippers Will Harris (28, British), Rosalin Kuiper (27, Dutch), Nico Lunven (40, French), Yann Eliès (48, French), and Axelle Pillain (32, French), as well as onboard reporter Antoine Auriol (38, French/German), will be 

 in a few days time. Excitement is building up on all fronts and the team is looking forward to 

 from the opening of the Ocean Live Park this Saturday until the 

 for the public and our partners in the week before the start. From events on ocean health with children from local schools to sustainability conferences, from boat tours to sailing days with guests… We worked on a range of activities to make this week 

exciting to both visitors here in Spain and our fans online

” comments Team Director Holly Cova. “After preparing for months, it is great to finally be here, about to start this great adventure and share it with the public”.

 MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, and Kuehne+Nagel, who all support the team’s 

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!