Team Malizia (GER)

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For Boris, the extremely successful fly-by in Kiel on the penultimate leg of the Ocean Race 2022-23 was a special moment. On the way to the turning mark in the Kiel Fjord, Boris and his team Malizia were accompanied by an incredible number of spectator boats and tens of thousands of people cheering from the shore. The German skipper had the opportunity to sail aboard his new IMOCA racing yacht for the first time in his home country. At the time, he likened the emotions triggered by the keel fly-by to the passage of Cape Horn.

“We are all very happy and excited that the Ocean Race Europe is starting in Kiel this year,” says the German sailor. “Kiel feels like home to me and I grew up sailing there over the years. It is also the home of Geomar and our scientific partners. This is a great opportunity for the public to meet the team, see the boat and get in touch with our My Ocean Challenge 2025 education program. It will definitely be a highlight for me, our team and our partners, and we can't wait to take part in the regatta!”

British sailor Will Harris joined Team Malizia in 2019 and has been competing as co-skipper of Boris Herrmann. Will has lived and breathed ocean racing his entire life and his passion and energy for the sport resonate in everyone around him. Today, he is regarded as the most exciting talent in modern offshore racing. Not only was he the youngest skipper in The Ocean Race 2023, and awarded the Hans Horrevoets Rookie Trophy - together with Simon Fisher, he was the only sailor to complete in the entire race, every leg and every In-Port Race. For his young age, he surpasses many his senior in experience, but brings a modern and visionary approach.

Will has two goals: to win the two most challenging ocean races. In 2027, he will compete as co-skipper in the toughest team race, The Ocean Race 2026/27. He then aims to follow up with the « Everest » of solo sailing, the Vendée Globe 2028-29, sailing nonstop around the world without assistance and being the first British sailor to win this iconic race.

With a degree in Oceanography and vast experience in scientific ocean research, Will is driven to push the boundaries of what science can do for the ocean through his sailing exploits.

An important new addition to the team is Cole Brauer, who joins Team Malizia as co-skipper alongside skipper Boris Herrmann and co-skipper Will Harris. Cole Brauer made history as the first American woman to sail solo non-stop around the world, finishing second in the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 aboard her Class40 First Light. Her journey was not only a feat of endurance and skill, but she also captivated the public by introducing a new audience to the adventure and challenges of solo offshore racing. Her achievements have redefined the boundaries of what is possible in the sport, inspiring countless sailors and fans worldwide and earning her the prestigious Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year 2024 award. In recent months, Cole Brauer has been mentored by Boris Herrmann as part of the Magenta Project.

“Becoming a part of Team Malizia is truly a dream come true,” says Cole. “Now I get to race on this incredible boat, bring my own experience to the team and become a full part of the Malizia family. I'm really looking forward to learning from this remarkable group of people and competing in exciting races on the IMOCA circuit.”

“Cole is a truly talented sailor and her journey fits perfectly with our mission to push boundaries and inspire people,” comments Boris. ”It's an incredible achievement to sail around the world alone on an old and difficult Class40. She is inspiring, determined and brings a new perspective to our team. While I had the chance to mentor her, I learned a lot from her. I'm looking forward to racing alongside Cole and Will this year and taking on new challenges together!”

Embarking on her IMOCA campaign, Italian-American sailor Francesca Clapcich begins a four-year journey to qualify for the Vendée Globe, where she aims to become the first sailor to compete in all four major sailing events: the Olympics, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, The Ocean Race, and the Vendée Globe. This summer, she joins Team Malizia as co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe, before Malizia - Seaexplorer is handed over to her team, backed by title sponsor 11th Hour Racing. 

“I’m very excited to join the Team Malizia crew, and this will actually be my first Ocean Race Europe,” says Francesca Clapcich. “I’m looking forward to the high-intensity format and to racing with a high-performing team made up of genuinely kind and inspiring people. On top of that, as I’m purchasing the boat, it’s an incredible opportunity to race with the very team who built her and knows all her secrets.” 

Multi-talented Swiss sailor Justine Mettraux also joins Team Malizia as co-skipper for the race. “Justine is another great addition to the team,” says Boris. “She is simply one of the best sailors out there. I’ve raced neck and neck with her on several occasions and I can say from experience, she gave me a real run for my money.” Finishing the Vendée Globe 2024–2025 in eighth place as the first woman, she is also a winner of The Ocean Race and no stranger to short, high-intensity racing. 

Justine Mettraux comments: "I'm really happy to be returning to The Ocean Race Europe. I took part in the first edition in 2021 and have great memories of it. It's a kind of event I love, with varied courses raced with a crew all across Europe, in setups that let you get 100% out of these boats.” 

French sailor Loïs Berrehar also joins Team Malizia’s crew as co-skipper, bringing solid offshore experience along the way. After several successful years on the Figaro circuit, he is starting his IMOCA career and looking at competing in the Vendée Globe 2028 with Banque Populaire. This year, he joins Malizia for the crewed race around Europe, where he will be able to showcase his close-contact racing skills. 

“My connection with Team Malizia is quite recent, but it’s a team I have closely followed and I’m excited to be part of such a performing crew”, says Loïs. Boris comments: “Although it will be his debut with the team, Loïs and I have known each other for many years, since he was just a kid. In 2008, he christened my Beluga Racer, the Class40 I then raced to second place in the Artemis Transat and later won the Portimão Global Ocean Race with.”

Another exciting addition to Team Malizia is Flore Hartout (French-Dutch), who recently joined as full-time content creator and one of the team’s onboard reporters for The Ocean Race Europe. No stranger to the world of sailing, Flore Hartout has worked for The Ocean Race, sailed 26,000 nautical miles with the Clipper Round the World Race, and the Défi Azimut in 2024 with Samantha Davies on Initiatives Coeur, and is already well-versed in the Malizia story. “It feels as though things have come full circle being a part of Team Malizia now”, comments Flore. “As a trained oceanographer, editor, documentary filmmaker, and now onboard reporter, this role is allowing me to bring together all my passions and commitment towards the Ocean. I am looking forward to sharing those stories with the Malizia fans.”

Antoine Auriol (French-German) is back as onboard reporter. Alternating legs with Flore Hartout, he will once again bring the action to fans through his unique storytelling, focusing on Ocean and climate stories. He comments: “It’s funny how time is often viewed negatively, when in fact experience is life itself. I’ve never felt as ready to film aboard Malizia – Seaexplorer! When I started three years ago, I was scared, even though I didn’t show it. The Ocean Race gave me strength, just like the whole Malizia team who believed in me and gave me the freedom to tell the story aboard in the most natural way possible.” Antoine adds: “This year, I’m excited to be paired with Flore, who has everything it takes to do amazing things. I’m thrilled to share this OBR role with her, and see how she captures life onboard these flying monohulls. The Ocean Race Europe, here we come!”

Although he will remain on shore during The Ocean Race Europe, Julien Villion is also a new addition to Team Malizia. With extensive experience across several projects, including Team Gitana and Actual, the talented French navigator will support the team on land in their preparations for the race and sail aboard Malizia - Seaexplorer on several occasions this year. He comments: “I’m looking forward to getting to know the team and discovering the boat. My role will certainly focus on navigation and weather, particularly when onboard, although in this type of crewed sailing, we are never really restricted to just one position.”