During the overhaul of the “Malizia -Seaexplorer” by circumnavigator Boris Herrmann in Alicante, damage to the wings was found. Almost two weeks before the start of the Ocean Race, the Hamburg-based racing yacht needs new foils.
“Fortunately it happened now and not during the Ocean Race. But that was a real blow for us,” said Herrmann, who is tackling the most important team regatta in international sailing with his crew on January 15th. However, the team of the native of Oldenburg was “lucky in disguise”. “We can fall back on another pair of new foils. Production normally takes half a year,” says the 41-year-old.
“We’re still investigating exactly how this happened, but it’s really unusual with foils this new.”
— Boris Herrmann
“Foils” are the wing-like wings on the sides of the hull, with which racing yachts like the “Maliza – Seaexplorer” literally fly over the water and thus reach high speeds.
“This problem is a setback for our preparations, but the team pulled together, did a great job and even had to work over Christmas,” said Herrmann. “I think we’ll come out of it stronger.”
The Ocean Race: The Stages
1st stage: Alicante – Cape Verde
Start: January 15; Expected arrival: January 22nd
1,900 nautical miles
2nd stage: Cape Verde – Cape Town/South Africa
Start: January 25th. Expected arrival: February 9th
4,600 nautical miles
3rd stage: Cape Town – Itajai/Brazil
Start: February 26; Expected arrival: April 1st
12,750 nautical miles
4th stage: Itajai/Brazil – Newport/USA
Launch: April 23; Expected arrival: May 10th
5th stage: Newport/USA – Aarhus/Denmark
Start: May 21; Expected arrival: May 30th
3,500 nautical miles
6th stage: Aarhus/Denmark – Fly-By Kiel – The Hague/Netherlands
Start: June 8; Kiel (no stop) June 9; Expected arrival: June 11th
800 nautical miles
7th stage: The Hague/Netherlands – Genoa/Italy
Start: June 15; Expected finish: July 1st
2,200 nautical miles
The new foils should be used in the coming days. Then the “Seaexplorer” go back to training on the water. The damage was noticed during an ultrasound scan during the major overhaul and the conversion of the high-tech yacht from a solo to a crew configuration after the transatlantic classic Route du Rhum.
Since December 12, the “Seaexplorer” has been in Alicante, Spain, where “The Ocean Race” starts. The hunt around the world takes seven stages and 32,000 nautical miles (around 60,000 kilometers). The race, which will last until July, is another big step for Herrmann and his crew on the way to the Vendée Globe 2024.
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Sports current | 01/15/2023 | 5:17 p.m
