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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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Team Malizia announces their full line-up for the upcoming Ocean Race Europe 2025. Building on their successful round-the-world experience in 2023, the team led by German skipper Boris Herrmann has gathered a talented group of sailors and onboard reporters to take on the short-format, crewed race starting in Kiel this summer.

 relaunched last week, Team Malizia is gearing up for the next big challenge: 

. The team had already announced part of their crew earlier this year, with 

 as co-skipper (and stepping into the skipper role when Boris is not onboard), and American offshore racer 

co-skipper. Today, the team is proud to reveal its full roster with 

 joining as co-skippers, and onboard reporters 

Boris Herrmann (GER), Team Malizia's skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Boris Herrmann (GER), Team Malizia's skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Ricardo Pinto | Team Malizia

 and ending six weeks later in Boka Bay, Montenegro, the event will be a short and intense sprint-format race with four sailors and one onboard reporter in each leg. "I'm really looking forward to The Ocean Race Europe 2025. While I do love the challenge of sailing solo, being part of a crew is something truly special," says 

 having gathered a crew of fantastic sailors. Each member brings their own strengths, and together we push each other to perform at our best." 

Will Harris (ENG), Team Malizia's co-skipper and skipper when Boris Herrmann is not onboard for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Will Harris (ENG), Team Malizia's co-skipper and skipper when Boris Herrmann is not onboard for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Eloi Stichelbaut | polaRYSE | Team Malizia

Cole Brauer (USA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Cole Brauer (USA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Eloi Stichelbaut | polaRYSE | Team Malizia

Embarking on her IMOCA campaign, Italian-American sailor 

 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 

 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.” 

: “Francesca is not only an incredibly skilled sailor and an Ocean Race winner, she also brings great energy and values around sustainability that perfectly align with our team. She’ll no doubt learn a lot about this boat, but I’m equally, if not more, excited to learn from her experience and to compete together at the highest level.”

Francesca Clapcich (ITA/USA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Francesca Clapcich (ITA/USA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Eloi Stichelbaut | polaRYSE | Team Malizia

 also joins Team Malizia as co-skipper for the race. “Justine is another great addition to the team,” 

. “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.” She adds: “I’m looking forward to sailing with Boris. We spent a fair amount of time sailing close to each other in the last Vendée Globe and in other races too. It’ll be great to join a new team and experience a new dynamic. I also raced against Will in the Figaro, back in 2016, we were both rookies, so it will be nice to finally sail together instead of against each other.”

Justine Mettraux (SUI), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Justine Mettraux (SUI), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Eloi Stichelbaut | polaRYSE | Team Malizia

 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 Berrehar. 

: “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 

, the Class40 I then raced to second place in the Artemis Transat and later won the Portimão Global Ocean Race with.” Loïs Berrehar adds: “We haven’t sailed together much, but we know each other well. I have an emotional connection with Boris, so I’m really happy to have the chance to spend time at sea with him, especially on such a thrilling race.”

Loïs Berrehar (FRA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Loïs Berrehar (FRA), Team Malizia's co-skipper for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Eloi Stichelbaut | polaRYSE | Team Malizia

Another exciting addition to Team Malizia is 

(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 

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 Hartout. “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.”

Flore Hartout (FRA/NED), Team Malizia's onboard reporter for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Flore Hartout (FRA/NED), Team Malizia's onboard reporter for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 © Antoine Auriol | Team Malizia

 (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 

! 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.” He 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!”

Antoine Auriol (FRA/GER), Team Malizia's onboard reporter for The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Although he will remain on shore during The Ocean Race Europe, 

 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 

 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.”

Julien Villion (FRA), also joins Team Malizia to support the preparations for race on land while also sailing onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer on other occasions this year

Julien Villion (FRA), also joins Team Malizia to support the preparations for race on land while also sailing onboard 

With four sailors and one onboard reporter taking part in each leg, Team Malizia has assembled a larger roster than the minimum required, including more women and nationalities than the rules demand. This 

reflects the team’s values and long-term vision

, and while the future remains open, the strategy is clear: build a strong, cohesive squad that can grow together over time." 

: "Just like we did for The Ocean Race 2022-2023, our goal is to create a team of sailors who get to know each other and can evolve together over time. Even if they return to their own projects in between, the idea is to have a tight-knit crew that knows how to work together, with everyone bringing their own skills to the table. With this approach, we lay a strong foundation for the future."

, The Ocean Race Europe 2025 will take the fleet from Kiel into Portsmouth, United Kingdom; Matosinhos-Porto, Portugal (Fly-By); Cartagena, Spain; Nice, France, and Genova, Italy, before the Finale in Montenegro.

Malizia - Seaexplorer is ready to race in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 this summer

Team Malizia will continue its key role in 

, using their onboard laboratory to collect vital data on Ocean CO₂, oxygen, temperature, and salinity levels. Alongside the racing, they will host three 

 events (in Kiel, Portsmouth, and Genova) to inspire young people with knowledge and solutions for the climate crisis. Their programme has already reached over 80,000 children in 11 languages, using the excitement of sailing to get them interested in the environment. Driven by their 

 mission, Team Malizia will once again ramp up outreach efforts, sharing real-time stories, and educational content to connect a broad audience with the beauty of the Ocean and the urgency of protecting it.

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!

mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its 

: Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, the Yacht Club de Monaco, and EFG International. 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 returns to Kiel, Germany, after a successful Fly-By in The Ocean Race in 2023

Team Malizia returns to Kiel, Germany, after a successful Fly-By in The Ocean Race in 2023 © Sailing Energy / The Ocean Race

Team Malizia’s crew for The Ocean Race Europe 2025: