It has been a challenging few days for Boris Herrmann, the skipper of the Monaco-based Malizia-Seaexplorer. Competing in the 2024/25 Vendée Globe solo race around the world, the German is desperately holding on to sixth position but has encountered a relentless onslaught of storms, torrential rain, and a rare double lightning strike that severely tested his endurance and his boat’s resilience.
The 43-year-old sailor from the Yacht Club de Monaco described the ordeal on 7th January as “one of the most intense days of his life.”
While navigating the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil, Herrmann found himself at the mercy of extreme weather conditions, and in a video link sent after regaining control of his vessel, he detailed the dramatic sequence of events.
“It was one of the craziest days at sea,” Herrmann recounted. “A massive front and thunderstorms. I’ve never seen anything like it in my entire life in many years of sailing. It was the entire day and most of the night, with pounding rain that I had never experienced before… Wind from all directions, the waves were crashing, and the boat was jibbing and lying flat on the sea a few times. I was thrown around. Luckily, nothing broke, but then lightning hit so close that immediately my screen was flashing and going black.”
The first lightning strike knocked out critical electronic systems aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, including the autopilot and navigation instruments. Alarms blared as the boat momentarily lost control, lying flat on the water before Herrmann managed to restore its functionality. Just when he thought the situation couldn’t worsen, a second lightning strike followed.
“Those who say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place are wrong! But perhaps this saying does not apply when the ‘place’ is in motion,” Herrmann quipped with a mix of humour and awe.
The seasoned captain noted the unrelenting power of the sea during the storm, saying, “The wind started blowing again, the thunder got louder, the lightning got more frequent – it was relentless. I think the sea really showed me its teeth yesterday. It’s a day I’ll never forget.”
This isn’t the first time Malizia-Seaexplorer has faced such a challenge. The boat endured similar lightning-related issues during the New York Vendée Les Sables d’Olonne race in June 2023.
More challenges to come
Then, on the morning of 10th January, Herrmann reported that his J2 hook had broken. Speaking to his team, who shared the news on social media, Herrmann said that his sail is now lashed on deck and he is using the smaller J3 sail.
“I am losing miles and probably sliding down the rankings,” he admitted, before sharing his concerns that he could drop to 10th place if he is unable to repair the sail. “If the Vendée Globe was easy, many people would do it.”
The Vendée Globe is entering a critical phase. French sailor Charlie Dalin remains in the lead, trailed by compatriots Yoann Richomme and Sébastien Simon. Herrmann, holding sixth place, continues to push forward, proving his resilience in one of the most gruelling races in the world.
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Photo source: Boris Herrmann Racing, Instagram