Circumnavigation
Shocking moment for German skipper in the South Pacific
12/22/2024 – 5:24 a.mReading time: 1 min.
Shock in the South Pacific: The German sailor Boris Herrmann suddenly capsizes at the Vendée Globe. But then he can get his boat back under control.
At the Vendée Globe sailing competition, the German skipper Boris Herrmann capsized for a short time with his “Malizia – Seaexplorer”. In the South Pacific, his boat suddenly got out of control, leaned heavily to one side and put the experienced circumnavigator in a stressful situation.
“I was sitting in my seat when the nose of the boat dipped into a wave and tilted downwards sharply,” said Herrmann, describing the situation. The yacht turned like a “pirouette” before it capsized. “I suddenly found myself standing on the side of the boat,” explained the 43-year-old. With quick measures, he managed to right the boat again and protect the mast and sails from damage.
After regaining control of the oars and retrimming the sail, Herrmann continued his solo circumnavigation. His destination: Cape Horn, which he is now sailing towards again on good course. Despite the involuntary maneuver, Herrmann emphasized: “I definitely don’t want to do another pirouette like that, neither tonight nor at any time during the race.”
In the race with 36 remaining participants, Boris Herrmann was in eighth place on the evening of December 21st and had an exciting duel with defending champion Yannick Bestaven. The leading group, led by Frenchman Yoann Richomme, is expected off Cape Horn just in time for Christmas.