Team Malizia: Boris Herrmann, a clear vision

Just days before the big start in Kiel, we wrap up our team introductions with the home crew: Team Malizia, led by Boris Herrmann.

The German skipper, who has six round-the-world races under his belt, is gearing up for a new collective adventure. After building a boat specifically for The Ocean Race 2023 (where they finished 3rd), Herrmann has brought together a crew designed not only to be competitive but also to foster a positive, collaborative atmosphere.

With the experience of Francesca Clapcich, the tenacity of Cole Brauer, the skills of Justine Mettraux, the energy of Loïs Berrehar, and Will Harris’ deep knowledge of the boat, Team Malizia arrives in great shape. Here’s our analysis.

Boris Herrmann has never hidden the fact that, despite completing two Vendée Globe races (5th in 2020–2021, 12th in 2024–2025), he’s not particularly fond of solo sailing.

During his first solo circumnavigation, he shared that struggled a lot. What he truly loves is passing on knowledge, sharing, being part of a team.

Boris is a crew-oriented sailor, and his recent seasons prove it. Unlike many IMOCA skippers, his team designed and built a boat specifically for crewed sailing, launched in July 2022. He raced that same boat with his team as a key player in The Ocean Race 2023.

Ergonomics: an advantage in The Ocean Race Europe

“Even though the boat can be raced solo, it was designed from the start for crewed sailing,” explains Will Harris, who’s been with Team Malizia since 2019. “It has more headroom than other IMOCAs. That makes it easier to move around and access everything — the living area, the nav station, galley, bunks… Plus, we have great visibility, which helps a lot during maneuvers and trimming the sails.”

In an intense race like The Ocean Race Europe, made up of short, high-stakes legs, Malizia’s ergonomics offer a clear advantage. That said, Will admits, “the boat is less competitive in moderate conditions — between 10 and 15 knots of wind.” But he quickly adds, “if it’s lighter or stronger, we can compete with all our rivals.”

The importance of “keeping the energy from start to finish”

But Team Malizia’s strength isn’t just technical. There’s a unique spirit within the German team that every member has helped cultivate over time. It starts with the absence of a strict hierarchy on board. “For Boris, it’s important that we’re all on the same level and that every opinion matters when decisions are made,” Will says. “He really encourages initiative and values each person’s experience. It’s key for him that there are no big egos on board.”

To “keep the energy from start to finish,” Will highlights the importance of “a good atmosphere” and “trying to be as happy as possible on board.” That also comes from mutual trust and the ability for each crew member to “take the lead” when the situation calls for it.

Boris will rely on a particularly solid mix: the experience of Francesca Clapcich and Justine Mettraux, Will Harris’ knowledge of the boat, Cole Brauer’s tenacity, and the energy of Loïs Berrehar… Everything is in place to shine on every leg. A podium finish? “We always sail to do our best — and the best is obviously to win,” says Will. “But I think we’ll be happy if we finish on the podium.”

Fun fact: this is the only team with so many different nationalities: German (Herrmann), American (Brauer), Italian-American (Clapcich), Swiss (Mettraux), French (Berrehar), British (Harris), and Franco-Dutch (Hartout). This in istelf is the proof of Boris’s talent for uniting sailors from all over the world.

Meet the Team Malizia crew

Boris Herrmann
44, German
“He has vast experience and has already done several round-the-world races. We’ve been sailing together for six years, and what I appreciate most about him is his ability to think about every aspect of performance. While some focus only on weather or racing, he also considers the reliability of the boat, how to optimize each sail, each adjustment… He has a 360° vision, and that makes him so effective.”

Cole Brauer
31, American
“We met last year in New York, during the speed runs of the New York – Vendée. We all followed her Class40 round-the-world: she managed the project impressively. She already has solid offshore experience and learns incredibly fast. She adapted quickly to the boat — the maneuvers, life on board… It’s a joy to sail with her.”

Francesca Clapcich
37, Italian-American
“We’ve known each other since The Ocean Race 2017. She’s an experienced sailor and really lovely at sea. Always positive, she brings great energy on board to find the right trim and push performance. Plus, she already won The Ocean Race with 11th Hour — a huge asset. And she’s super versatile!”

Justine Mettraux
38, Swiss
“We’ve been sailing together since my first Solitaire du Figaro in 2016. We’ve often crossed paths on the dock. Her growth in offshore sailing has been incredible. On board, Justine is smart, connected with the boat straight away, and knows how to make the right strategic and routing calls. She’s very precise — a key quality in a crew.”

Loïs Berrehar
31, French
“He’s a skipper who progressed very quickly in offshore sailing and IMOCA. He won his first crewed race in IMOCA, the Course des Caps with Macif. He’s one of those talented sailors who learns fast and will stay at the top level for a long time. He also has tons of Figaro experience — super valuable for the short, tactical legs of The Ocean Race Europe. Plus, he’s always fun to sail with!”

Flore Hartout
26, Franco-Dutch
“I’ve known her for years — we raced in the same university regattas. She’s still getting to know the IMOCA world, but she’s incredibly skilled at photo and video production. She totally understands life on board, and it’s crucial to be able to move and capture the story without disrupting the sailors. She’s also got a fantastic spirit — we’re thrilled she’s part of this adventure!”