After the spectacular Ocean Race, Team Malizia set sail again. Boris Herrmann and Will Harris are sailing in the 48-hour Défi Azimut race. A first test on the way to the Vendée Globe 2024. News, videos, background information about the regatta in the live blog at NDR.de.
Live tracker – Follow the racing events at a glance
33 Imoca racing yachts included
In total, “only” 33 Imocas made their way to the Bay of Biscay. Guirec Soudée and Roland Jourdain did not start. The field is expected to arrive on Saturday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Starting line passed – Défi Azimut with the Malizia running
The racing yachts started in the Défi Azimut. Team Malizia with skipper Boris Herrmann and Will Harris ranked 17th. The conditions are rough off Lorient and are expected to become even more uncomfortable on the first day of the 48-hour regatta.
Boats on the water – start at 12.30 p.m
Almost all of the 35 racing yachts have undocked and are preparing for the start at 12.30 p.m. Boris Herrmann and Will Harris are also on their way out of the harbor with the Malizia – Seaexplorer.
Challenging ones Conditions await Malizia and Co.
The 35 racing yachts can expect challenging conditions, including heavy seas, on the loop from Lorient to the Bay of Biscay and back again. “The Défi Azimut is an exciting meeting,” said Antoine Mermod, President of the IMOCA class. “It is the first meeting of 2023 that brings together the entire squad and gives us the opportunity to establish an initial ranking.”
Cast off in Lorient – Today the Défi Azimut starts with the Malizia
Originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m., the field of Imoca racing yachts will start the 48-hour Défi Azimut two-handed regatta in Lorient, France, at 12:30 p.m. Also there was Boris Herrmann from Hamburg, skipper of the Malizia – Seaexplorer, and his co-skipper Will Harris.
Défi Azimut: 34 competitors for Herrmann and Harris
From Thursday (12.30 p.m.) 34 competitors will be sailing for victory in the Défi Azimut against Boris Herrmann and Will Harris. In addition to the skipper of the Malizia, there is also a second German: Andreas Baden from Bonn is contesting the 48-hour race together with the Frenchman Fabrice Amedeo. The expected finish for the winner is Saturday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Cast off for the 48-hour Défi Azimut race
On Thursday at 12.30 p.m. the starting signal for the 48-hour Défi Azimut race will be given in front of Lorient. Team Malizia with skipper Boris Herrmann from Hamburg and co-skipper Will Harris will also be taking part in the two-handed regatta. For the total of 35 Imoca racing yachts, the race is an initial assessment on the way to the Vendée Globe 2024.
Lunvent and Kuiper leave Team Malizia
Shortly before the start of the Défi Azimut, the Malizia team had to cope with two departures. Rosalin Kuiper and Nicolas Lunven will now sail for “Holcim – PRB”. The Frenchman, who acted as navigator for Team Malizia, will lead Holcim as skipper into the Vendée Globe 2024, where he will compete against Boris Herrmann. “It is a great honor that I have been selected to lead this team,” Lunven said
The two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre regatta is coming up
After the Défi Azimut, the next big test for the Vendée Globe is coming up at the end of October. Boris Herrmann and Will Harris will take part in the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre regatta from Le Have to Martinique from October 29th.
Ocean Race review
This topic in the program:
Sports club | Sep 24, 2023 | 10:50 p.m
