VALLON Year-in-Review: Grit, Glory, and the Race That Matters Most
In a year defined by high seas and higher stakes, Team Malizia—backed by VALLON’s spirit of grit and independent adventure—has written another unforgettable chapter in offshore racing. From solo circumnavigations to crewed sprints through gale-force storms, the team has stayed true to its mission: pushing limits, protecting oceans, and inspiring the next generation.
A Solo Odyssey Comes Full Circle
Boris Herrmann, the stalwart skipper of Malizia - Seaexplorer, completed his second Vendée Globe in January—80 grueling days alone at sea. His 12th-place finish belied the challenges he faced: a damaged foil, a shredded mainsail, and a relentless Bay of Biscay storm in the final hours. Yet even as he crossed the finish line exhausted and waiting for daylight to dock, Boris was not truly alone. Friends and teammates joined via video call, embodying the quiet resilience of a man who has made solitude his second home.
Recognition at Home
Back on land, Boris was awarded the 2025 German Offshore Award for his phenomenal second-place finish in the New York–Vendée Race. In a heartfelt speech at Hamburg City Hall, he reminded the sailing world that “The race we must win isn’t just across the ocean—it’s for our climate.” Team Malizia continues to integrate science into its sailing, collecting critical data for institutions like GEOMAR and the Max Planck Institute. The work isn’t just about winning races; it’s about making the ocean part of the solution.
Victory at the Admiral’s Cup
Later that month, Team Malizia’s sailors joined Monaco’s first-ever Admiral’s Cup campaign. At the helm of Jolt 6, team co-founder Pierre Casiraghi led a crew stacked with Malizia regulars—including Harris, Brauer, and Marsh—to an astonishing overall win. With the Fastnet Race as the final showdown, the team delivered under pressure, executing a flawless performance that etched Monaco’s name into the Admiral’s Cup history books.
Casiraghi’s words summed it up: “We’re a small place, but we’ve just shown we can achieve great things.”
Season 2: Malizians – European Waters
Now, all eyes turn to The Ocean Race Europe 2025. With five countries, thousands of nautical miles, and countless logistics to manage, Season 2 of Malizians—the team’s behind-the-scenes YouTube series—has launched with a renewed sense of purpose. From Kiel to Montenegro, the mission is clear: A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now.
Onboard reporter Flore Hartout, injured yet undeterred in the Course des Caps, returns to document the human side of offshore sailing. The new season dives into the chaos and commitment it takes to stay competitive—and conscious—on the front lines of both sport and sustainability.
