Boris Herrmann returns as Team Malizia’s skipper, joining Will Harris, Nico Lunven, Rosalin Kuiper and onboard reporter Antoine Auriol. After a condensed stopover in Cape Town, the team are optimistic about the 3rd leg and confident they can perform really well. They feel the conditions will play to their strengths and their boat Malizia – Seaexplorer was specifically built with a solid structure to protect it against the heavy swells of the Southern Ocean.
In the most recent online press conference, Boris Herrmann said “Malizia - Seaexplorer did well on the 2nd leg in the strong and rough wind conditions of the Southern Ocean - we were even faster than the others. That's why the crew is looking forward to the next leg, me too, of course. And this time we are not as reserved as usual. I think we can say that we really do have a chance to win the next stage."
The epic 3rd leg from Cape Town to Itajaí in Brazil takes in the world’s three Great Capes: The Cape of Good Hope close to the tip of Africa; Cape Leeuwin, Australia’s most south-westerly point; and the legendary Cape Horn on the southernmost point of South America.
The crews will face many mental and physical challenges on the way, including navigating the ice zones of Antarctica and ever-changing weather systems of the Southern Ocean; the notorious ‘Roaring Forties’ and ‘Furious Fifties’ strong winds that bring with them bitterly cold temperatures and unpredictable wave patterns. On exiting the Southern Ocean, the teams will round Cape Horn, another seminal moment in the race, before making their way past the Falkland Islands and along the coast of Uruguay towards the finish line in Itajaí, Brazil.
Conquering this historic leg is often considered a badge of honour amongst sailors and it is expected to take around 34 days to complete, so it seems appropriate that double points are at stake. The first points are awarded for the order that the boats pass longitude 166° 25’ East (close to the western tip of New Zealand) and the second set for the order in which they finish.
The Southern Ocean plays a vital role in our planet’s delicately balanced climate infrastructure and the wild and remote nature of the location means that very few scientific research vessels are able to access the area. Sailors are often the first to witness the impact of climate change on the environment and the valuable data Malizia – Seaexplorer gathers as part of their scientific mission ‘A Race We Must Win’, will help a dedicated team of experts monitor and better understand how to protect and restore ocean health.
The Ocean Race is one of the ultimate challenges in sport and to compete requires teamwork, drive and competitiveness and an ability to perform well under pressure. The 3rd leg will be a major test of endurance for Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia and we will be following the highs and lows of their journey closely; we wish them the very best of luck!
A reminder of how to follow the action
Team Malizia's onboard reporter Antoine Auriol is capturing all the “behind the scenes” action, with daily updates being shared on Team Malizia's website and via social media channels (YouTube, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram).
You can follow The Ocean Race route and anticipated arrival and departure times for each leg of the journey here. The Ocean Race also shares content from all the participating teams on its website and social media channels.
Further information: www.theoceanrace.com