Enlarge image
Boris Herrmann's "Malizia" at the start of the Route du Rhum
Photo: SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS / AFP
Hamburg circumnavigator Boris Herrmann has reached the destination of the Route du Rhum.
In the early morning of November 24, he crossed the finish line at 5:36 a.m. German time with his racing yacht “Malizia – Seaexplorer” as 24th in the Imoca class.
A little later, the 41-year-old moored at the dock in the port of Pointe-à-Pitre on Guadeloupe.
There he was greeted stormily by his team on a Caribbean night after the final of the 3542 nautical mile long regatta from Saint-Malo across the Atlantic.
Herrmann completed the twelfth edition of the classic, which is held every four years, in 14 days, 15 hours, 21 minutes and 41 seconds.
He needed 2 days, 21 hours, 45 minutes and 16 seconds longer than Imoca winner Thomas Ruyant.
Herrmann had to fight at the beginning of the regatta: »I'm super tired and don't know if I can make it.
I have some problems with the engine.
I found water in the machine and that's pretty worrying because energy on board is of course important," said the Hamburg solo sailor after the second day at sea.
For Herrmann it was the first solo regatta since the Vendée Globe, which he finished fifth on January 28, 2021.
With the young new building "Malizia - Seaexplorer" he contested the Route du Rhum defensively in the optimization phase of the boat and avoided a high risk.
Technical problems had also forced him to be cautious.
However, the minimum target for participation has been achieved: Herrmann has qualified for the Vendée Globe 2024/2025 with the completed Route du Rhum.
ara/dpa
