Malizia – Seaexplorer returned to the water last week after undergoing an extensive winter re-fit following the Vendée Globe. For the first time, the racing yacht features a ground-breaking hybrid-electric propulsion system, positioning Team Malizia at the forefront of sustainable offshore racing.
The most significant modification made to the racing yacht during the re-fit was the adaption from solo to crewed configuration and this week, Team Malizia unveiled the crew for the second edition of The Ocean Race Europe, which takes place during the summer. In Team Malizia’s first ‘Vlogbook’, co-skipper Will Harris goes behind the scenes with the tech team as they adapt the boat for the crewed set-up.
The Ocean Race Europe follows a short and intense sprint-format with four sailors and one onboard reporter participating in each leg. So, joining skipper Boris Herrmann (GER), co-skipper Will Harris (GBR), and Cole Brauer (USA), will be experienced sailor and Ocean Race winner Francesca Clapcich (ITA/USA) and the multi-talented Justine Mettraux (SUI), who finished the Vendée Globe in an impressive 8th place as the highest-ranked woman. Loïs Berrehar (FRA) makes his debut for the team and on board reporters Flore Hartout (FRA/NED) and Antoine Auriol (FRA/GER) complete the line-up, with navigator Julien Villion (FRA) supporting on the ground. The diverse team embodies Team Malizia’s values and long term vision to build a strong, cohesive squad that evolves together over time.
Skipper Boris Herrmann is looking forward to the challenge: “I’m excited to be back on Malizia – Seaexplorer having gathered a crew of fantastic sailors. Each member brings their own strengths, and together we push each other to perform our best”.
Under the banner ‘Connecting Europe’, The Ocean Race Europe 2025 sets sail from Kiel on 10 August, 2025 and includes stopovers in Portsmouth, UK; Matosinhos-Porto, Portugal (fly-by); Cartagena, Spain; Nice, France and Genova, Italy, before the Grand Finale in Boka Bay, Montenegro six weeks later.
Throughout The Ocean Race Europe, Team Malizia will stay true to their core mission “A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!’, and combine high performance offshore racing with a commitment to science. Malizia – Seaexplorer’s onboard laboratory will continue to gather essential data on ocean CO₂, oxygen, temperature and salinity levels, and the team will also use their sailing adventures to inspire and educate the next generation of ocean advocates, with three ‘My Ocean Challenge’ events planned in Kiel, Portsmouth and Genova.
Last week, Team Malizia also announced the launch of a dedicated research vessel ‘Malizia Explorer’. The new boat is a natural evolution of their mission, and with expeditions to Arctic and Antarctic regions in the pipeline, the aim is to further advance scientific research and raise public awareness of the crucial role the ocean plays in regulating the climate.
Swiss skipper Oliver Heer, who raced alongside Boris Herrmann in the Vendée Globe 2024/25, and the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) are providing their ocean pack to Malizia Explorer and the SPI will be involved with data analysis, together with ETH Zurich and the Universities of Bern and Lausanne, showcasing once again how the scientific communities are working collaboratively to enhance ocean research.
With this new venture and an exciting season of racing ahead, Team Malizia continue to use their professional sports platform as a vehicle for change. By combining the power of offshore racing, with the power of science, they hope to inspire action and push the boundaries of both ocean research and sailing.
As a long-standing partner, we’re fully committed to supporting the team on their The Ocean Race Europe journey and as they inspire action on key sustainability issues around the world. Stay tuned for regular updates as the season unfolds.