Malizia-Seaexplorer, Boris Herrmann’s new boat was christened in Hamburg on Tuesday, September 6. “The boat is a racing beast,” said the 41-year-old sailor whose ultimate goal is to compete again in the Vendée Globe 2024/25, a non-stop round-the-world without assistance race, the Monaco Yacht Club reports.

Over a hundred children attended the christening of this 18m IMOCA with her 29m high mast, all of whom were allowed on board one at a time to check her out.

Boris and his team left Lorient in France to reach the boat’s homeport, where their arrival was eagerly awaited. It was the first time since 2018 that the Vendée Globe skipper had been to his hometown with his racing boat.

Malizia-Seaexplorer travelled up the Elbe to Hamburg watched by thousands of spectators with cameras who had gathered on the banks of the famous Sandtorhafen for the ‘Malizia Ocean Festival’, a two-day event for the public on sustainability and ocean protection.

Malizia-Seaexplorer reminded everyone that the ambition is to carry the message behind the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals under the boat’s slogan A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now.

After an 18-month innovative design and build period, the new IMOCA was revealed on Tuesday, July 19. in Lorient. With her spoon-shaped bow and chistera-like foils, Malizia-Seaexplorer is all set to sail in two round-the-world solo and crewed races.

The stats behind the VPLP-design sailing boat built at Multiplast in Vannes (Morbihan) say it all: 35,000 hours on design and 45,000 hours for the build involving 250+ people.

Over the next three years, the IMOCA has to go round the world twice, first with crew for The Ocean Race, then solo for the Vendée Globe. But before that, Boris will be lining up on the start of the Route du Rhum which starts on November 6 from Saint-Malo.

VIDEO