Antarctica, between global warming, exploitation, and hope

Leopard seal on an iceberg, Borgen Bay, Anvers Island, Western Antarctic Peninsula

Southern Ocean impressions from onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer during The Ocean Race 2022-2023

Diver under the ice, Anvers Island, Antarctica

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in the Vendée Globe, near the Crozet Islands on Day 26 of the race and observing the surrounding albatrosses

Antarctic landscape, Brown Station

Adélie penguin, Antarctica

Situated at the southernmost point of our planet, Antarctica is a vast, icy expanse of near-total solitude. Visited only by a few dedicated scientists and rounded every now and then by a fleet of IMOCA sailors, this frozen continent and its surrounding Southern Ocean play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. Yet, it often goes overlooked by some and is exploited by others. As Boris Herrmann navigates its icy waters, we explore the pressing challenges facing Antarctica.

King penguins and Antarctic fur seal pups on the island of South Georgia. Salisbury Plaine, South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Antarctica, Between Global Warming, Exploitation, And Hope

Boris celebrating Nikolaus onboard

This morning Boris Herrmann wishes us a good Nikolaus Day as he is racing at 27 knots in a bumpy sea. Typical Southern Ocean conditions as he is sailing near the Crozet Islands. The mission of the day is to catch up with Justine! 

Happy (Bumpy) Nikolaus Day - Day 26 - Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

Malizia Seaexplorer sailing in 40 knots of wind

Technical Team making sure Malizia Seaexplorer is ready

Racing offshore, particularly in the solo round-the-world Vendée Globe race, presents unique challenges, blending high performance with extreme conditions. Read on to delve deeper into the world of risk management in offshore sailing. 

Risk Management in Offshore Sailing: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail!

Risk Management in Offshore Sailing: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail

Boris is doing some lashing on the deck

Mid day update

As Boris Herrmann navigates Day 25 of the Vendée Globe, the challenges of the Southern Ocean are in full swing. After an early start and some repair work on the J2, Boris is now making steady progress at 20 knots on a southeast course, following a similar track to the girls. With a transition to northerly winds expected as a low-pressure system moves in, the next few days promise moderate reaching conditions. Rested and focused, Boris is ready for the journey ahead, even as the cold and damp test his endurance. Stay tuned for more updates from the Southern Ocean!

Full Swing For The Southern Ocean Challenges - Day 25 - Vendée Globe

The home made tool from Boris

My foil rake ram ripped off the foil on the port side.

The Vendée Globe is often described as “one problem a day to solve,” and for Boris Herrmann, the journey started relatively smoothly with few issues to address. However, now that he’s entered the unforgiving Southern Ocean, the race has truly begun. The challenges are ramping up, and we’re fully immersed in the reality of the Vendée Globe.

Hard Night For Boris - Day 24 - Vendée Globe

Currently battling for 12th position in a close race with Sam Davies and Justine Mettraux, Boris Herrmann is preparing to take on the most challenging stretch of the Vendée Globe: the Southern Ocean. Known for its relentless storms and fierce conditions, this leg will push both sailors and boats to their limits.

Resilience Is The Key - Day 23 - Vendée Globe

As Boris sails around the globe, we’re reminded of how vast and connected the community of sailors, Ocean lovers and climate action enthusiasts truly is. Every day, we’re inspired by hundreds of messages from supporters across the world - each one a testament to the global impact of this journey. 

Join Our Interactive Malizian Map!

Albatros in the Southern Ocean during Leg 3 of The Ocean Race 2022-2023

Boris sending news to his shore team

Today could mark a fresh chapter for Boris as he reaches the Southern Ocean, having just passed the iconic Cape of Good Hope, a gateway to the vast and untamed waters of the Southern Hemisphere.

Welcome To The Southern Ocean - Day 22 - Vendée Globe

As he is braving rough conditions, Team Malizia’s skipper Boris Herrmann has rounded Cape of Good Hope this Monday afternoon and will soon pass Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, marking his entry into the Indian Ocean on Day 22 of the Vendée Globe solo race. This milestone, along with having spotted his first albatross yesterday, also signifies his transition into the notoriously challenging Southern Ocean.

Boris Herrmann on the deck of his Malizia - Seaexplorer during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

Boris Herrmann Rounds Cape of Good Hope in Vendée Globe

Team Malizia’s Boris Herrmann Rounds Cape of Good Hope in Vendée Globe

Today, December 1st, marks the beginning of the only full month the sailors will spend entirely at sea. While the leading pack has already passed the Cape of Good Hope, Boris is now steadily approaching it as well—and at impressive speeds!

Advent Sailing With Friends - Day 21 - Vendée Globe

Nigeria’s first climate cafe. 

As Boris nears the Cape of Good Hope, we’re following his journey with some much-needed good news. This week, we start in Togo, travel down the map of Africa and end in South Africa - showing that positive change is happening all around the world. 

Climate Hope Week 3

As their skipper Boris Herrmann competes in the Vendée Globe, Team Malizia has been honoured with the German Sustainability Award Sport 2025 - one of Europe’s most prestigious awards for sustainability projects and initiatives. The team received the award in the “Sport Events” category for their contributions to climate action and sports.

Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia Receives German Sustainability Award Sport 2025

Boris gave his team the "all clear" with this picture from onboard. Rocky start but sunny reward!

Side by side as competitors. Boris and Justine

Cornelius Eich on stage accepting the award. Boris "joined" the ceremony virtually and left a message for the audience giving thanks to Team Malizia's partners and the Team all the way from the Atlantic!

As Boris continues to struggle with weak winds, he finds himself falling further behind the front pack of the Vendée Globe fleet, which is charging towards and past Cape Horn. But it’s not just the wind holding him back. Waking up to find a ghost net wrapped around the keel is never an ideal start to the day. However, as Boris often says, “Don’t be scared of good surprises!”

Saturday Surprise: A Ghost Net And Sail Changes - Day 20 - Vendée Globe

Around 1200 scientists brave the cold every winter to conduct research in the most remote area of the planet: Antarctica. 

About 98% of the Antarctic temperature and salinity profiles have been gathered by elephant seals. 

Boris has journeyed to some of the most remote and extraordinary places on the planet - destinations few will ever experience. Yet, as is the nature of the Vendée Globe, where every moment counts, there’s rarely time to pause and absorb the stories of these remarkable regions. Antarctica, however, has always held a special allure. From early explorers chasing the dream of a tropical Terra Australis, to today’s scientists unraveling the mysteries of its icy expanse, and now to Boris himself, charging toward the Southern Ocean aboard Malizia - Seaexplorer, the intrigue remains. Let’s “break the ice” and dive into the rich history and present-day wonders of Antarctic exploration!

Antarctic Intrigue - Exploration Then And Now

Morning from onboard Malizia - Seaexplorer

In his latest update from onboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, Boris Herrmann shares the reality of a significant tactical shift as he sails southward, leaving behind the front that was once his driving force. 

Ready For A Day Of Light Wind - Day 19 - Vendée Globe

It's already Day 18 aboard Malizia - Seaexplorer in the Vendée Globe! This morning, Boris remains in 11th position, fighting hard to close the gap with the leading pack, or at least minimise losses to stay within reach of catching up in the Southern Ocean. Let’s see what the day holds!

Trying To Reduce The Gap - Day 18 - Vendée Globe

Despite their resilience, mangroves face growing challenges from climate change.

Often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs also protect coastal regions and are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.

Night operations on the Pine Gulch Fire in Colorado, 2020

Sea ice melt ponds in the Arctic Ocean

As Boris will soon navigate the Southern Ocean, we are reminded of the strength it takes to endure and adapt to challenges and the importance of ambitious climate action.

In the face of climate change, resilience has become a crucial lens through which we view ecosystems, communities, and individuals. Nature has evolved to adapt and recover over millennia, but as global temperatures rise and ecosystems are confronted with unprecedented stresses, resilience is being tested like never before. In this article, we explore how ecosystems like coral reefs and fire-prone forests show resilience to climate change and why safeguarding their adaptability is vital for the future of our planet.

Nature shows an extraordinary ability to resist, adapt and recover in the face of the impacts of climate change

Adapting To The Future: Nature’s Resilience In A Changing Climate

In the video call, Boris showed the children that Alfonso, his trusted sailing companion is onboard with him for their 6th circumnavigation

Hybrid My Ocean Challenge event in Großhansdorf, Germany, which Boris Herrmann live from the South Atlantic during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

More than 1000 interested children, teachers, and parents joined our hybrid My Ocean Challenge kids event on 27 November to learn about sailing, science and sustainability! With participants logging in from Norway, France, Germany and even the South Atlantic, this event was a huge success!

Hybrid My Ocean Challenge event in Großhansdorf, Germany, with Boris Herrmann live from the South Atlantic during the Vendée Globe 2024-2025

From Northern Europe to The South Atlantic - Over 1000 Kids In My Ocean Challenge Event

This morning, Boris Herrmann sent us an audio update from the race, sharing both positive developments and some challenges he's facing. Stay tuned to discover the highs and lows of today as he navigates through the ever-changing conditions of the Vendée Globe.

It’s Not Over Yet - Day 17 - Vendée Globe

Team Malizia announce their partnership with 360T

Team Malizia, led by renowned skipper Boris Herrmann, is proud to announce its partnership with 360T, a global leader in Foreign Exchange (FX) trading solutions. This collaboration unites two high-performance teams that share a common vision: achieving excellence, teamwork, innovation, and driving meaningful action against climate change.

Malizia - Seaexplorer

Team Malizia Partners With FX Trading Platform 360T

Boris Herrmann, skipper of Team Malizia

For Boris, the conditions are a bit different: "Super easy here for me. I'm slightly behind, on the edge of the wind, so at night I was down to 13 knots of true wind speed at times. Now I have 19 knots."

Today, the pressure is on. Will Boris Herrmann manage to slip past the looming windless zone that threatens to create significant gaps between the leading group and their chasers?

How Long Can They Keep Up This Pace? - Day 16 - Vendée Globe

Image Bank

Press Kit

Press Releases

Press Reviews

Radio Content

Media

Educational Material My Ocean Challenge

Educational Material

Scientific Mission Statement

Malizia Mangrove Park

Resources

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

TikTok

YouTube

Podcast

Follow The Team

Imprint

Privacy Policy

Privacy

Cookies

Contact

Legal

Boris Herrmann

We compete on the highest level in the toughest races, inspire action & create awareness and highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

Home

SCHÜTZ

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)

MSC 

Hapag Lloyd 175 year anniversary

Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag Lloyd

Boris as the patron of the Planet Hero Award 2022

Zurich Group Germany

Kuehne+Nagel

EFG International

My Ocean Challenge event in Monaco, in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco

Yacht Club de Monaco

YACHT CLUB DE MONACO

My Ocean Challenge Event at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco with Boris Herrmann, Pierre Casiraghi & Léa Olivier.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation