Offshore racing, especially in the solo around the world Vendée Globe race, brings unparalleled challenges, combining high performance with extreme conditions. The unpredictable nature of the Ocean means that managing risk is crucial to the safety of Boris Herrmann, Malizia-Seaexplorer, and where you place in the race. Risk management starts with how you design the hull shape of the boat right up to what spares and technology you have onboard. Interestingly, many of the risk management principles in offshore racing parallel those employed in business sectors like finance and insurance, where anticipating, mitigating, and managing risks is essential to success.
Technological Solutions - A major part of risk management in offshore racing comes from leveraging technology to detect and avoid hazards. Systems like SEA.AI, an object detection system using artificial intelligence and cameras, help detect floating debris or submerged objects, enabling Boris to take early action and avoid potential collisions. Radar systems onboard Team Malizia’s IMOCA also play a critical role in identifying obstacles and other vessels, particularly in low visibility or at night. Added to this we have state of the art AIS systems and alarms onboard our Malizia-Seaexplorer to alert Boris of approaching vessels. For an offshore solo sailor travelling up to 70kph these are a must in order to allow for a small window of sleep. Although Boris will only sleep in twenty minute increments it is these systems that dramatically reduce the risk of a collision and allow the sailors to get much needed rest.
As noted in our technology article the boat has many fibre optics throughout it which have alarms attached to limits. These alarms and numbers allow Boris to sail to the edge of limits of the boat but not past them. This is crucial when we see how many boats have lost masts in recent years (a show stopper for any boat). These fibre optic alarms allow the sailor to get the most from the boat but without risking breaking things.
Safety at Sea Training - Beyond technology, the safety and preparedness of the sailor is paramount in managing risk. Boris undergoes rigorous safety at sea courses, in case an accident was to happen. This is mandatory in order to enter the race. Equally in order to qualify the sailors have to have completed strict entry requirements and sailed in enough races to be deemed competent enough to sail.
Design - Over the years the design of these boats has evolved in many ways with hull shapes and foils being the latest changes. The strength and build process of the boat is a key factor that limits the risk, although boats might be leaving the yard heavier than some of their predecessors they are stronger than ever and so able to fly at death defying speeds over the water. Boris designed Malizia - Seaexplorer with a spoon bow and monolithic build process to make it not only stronger but actually faster as it can glide over the waves and reduce the risk of nose diving and therefore stalling in the waves or even worse breaking.
Redundancy and Preparedness - Redundancy is a critical principle of risk management. From backup power systems to multiple autopilots and spare parts, redundancy ensures that the yacht can continue racing even if one system fails. We saw this already 20 minutes into Boris’ Vendée Globe 2024-2025, where he had to change the ram on the autopilot. Without this option his race could have come to an end. This is similar to how businesses in sectors like banking and insurance create contingency plans to maintain operations during unexpected disruptions. There should always be a plan B.
Onshore Support - Another aspect of risk management in offshore racing is the involvement of a support team on land. The team and the race management constantly monitor the race, tracking the yacht’s performance, weather conditions, and overall safety. In the event of a crisis, the support team can provide critical advice and resources, whether it is offering navigational assistance or guiding Boris through a technical failure. There are many spare parts and tools on board our Malizia - Seaexplorer IMOCA plus a manual created by our boat captain in advance to help fix almost all issues. Much like business operations have back-office teams monitoring financial markets or operational performance, the land-based team plays a crucial role in managing risk, providing an extra layer of oversight and coordination.
Reliability - Before each race, all components, from sails to electronics, are tested under different conditions to ensure they are prepared for the challenges of offshore racing. This ongoing maintenance, combined with contingency plans for quick repairs, mirrors how businesses prepare for operational risks by testing systems and creating backup solutions to ensure continuity.
Weather Monitoring - Arguably one of the most unpredictable risks in offshore racing is the weather. The ability to read and respond to changing weather conditions is essential. Boris is solely responsible for the weather decisions and tactics whilst racing in the Vendée Globe and he relies on sophisticated weather models and forecasting systems, enabling him to predict wind patterns and storm developments. This helps him plan his route and make real-time decisions about when to take risks or adjust course. In these races, sailors will try to hook into more extreme weather systems and ride on the edge of the strong wind created. However, riding too close could mean disaster if the boat is too badly battered by a huge storm.
Team Malizia’s co-skipper Will Harris explains this well in relation to the current big weather system approaching the fleet as they entered the Southern Ocean “The big feature of the week is a low-pressure system currently south of Boris’ position that is building up. It’s a powerful and proper Southern Ocean low. It is strengthening as it moves East and will catch up with the boats in the group ahead of Boris. At this stage, it’s vital for sailors to carefully balance performance with safety, making smart decisions to navigate these challenging conditions.”
The key is balancing taking the right amount of risk with pushing hard to gain an advantage without exposing the boat to unnecessary danger. In practice, Boris must decide when it’s appropriate to take calculated risks for performance gains, such as navigating through a squall or choosing an aggressive course. However, this is always balanced by the awareness of the consequences. The same analogy is true for our private banking partner EFG International, just like in their business, where risk-taking decisions need to be weighed carefully against what is the reward and finding an optimal balance between the potential return on investments and the level of risk a client is willing to take on. The same is true in offshore sailing, as Giorgio Pradelli, CEO of EFG International, and Boris clearly put it during a joint speech: “Boris has two hearts in his chest, one beats for winning, the other weighs up the risks. Together, the two hearts drive him forward.”