Image Bank

Press Kit

Press Releases

Radio Content

Media

Educational Material My Ocean Challenge

Educational Material

Upcoming events

Subscribe to our My Ocean Challenge Newsletter

Scientific Mission Statement

Malizia Mangrove Park

Resources

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

TikTok

YouTube

Podcast

Follow The Team

Imprint

Privacy Policy

Privacy

Cookies

Contact

Legal

Boris Herrmann

Will Harris

Francesca Clapcich

Cole Brauer

Flore Hartout

We compete on the highest level in the toughest races, inspire action & create awareness and highlight solutions to the climate crisis.

Home

As the countdown to the launch of their new IMOCA enters its final week, Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia announce the German skipper’s intention to participate in the legendary solo transatlantic race, the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe 2026.

Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe 2026 campaign

. The iconic solo transatlantic race, which starts from Saint-Malo, France, on 1 November 2026 at 13:02 local time, will mark Boris Herrmann’s 

first solo race aboard Team Malizia’s brand-new IMOCA

, following the yacht’s launch in early July and a summer dedicated to qualification and training.

The 13th edition of the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe will once again bring together the offshore racing world for a unique challenge across the Atlantic. Held every four years, the race will see 117 solo sailors, potentially joined by a small number of wildcard entries, set sail from Saint-Malo in northern France to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, covering a theoretical distance of 

 (6,560 km). Professionals, leading figures in sailing and passionate amateur sailors will all line up together for the same start, racing across several classes: Ultim, IMOCA, Ocean Fifty, Class40, Vintage Multi and Vintage Mono. In the IMOCA class, the race also serves as a 

qualifier for the Vendée Globe 2028–2029

For Team Malizia, the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe 2026 is an important milestone in a packed and ambitious first season for its new yacht. Before heading to Saint-Malo in the autumn, the team will first compete in the 

 from New York to Lorient (starting 1st September), before Boris Herrmann takes on the 

 in 2027 (start on 17 January 2027 in Alicante, Spain). 

“The Route du Rhum is one of the legendary races in our sport and I’m very happy to be lining up for it again, this time on our new boat,” said 

. “This will be my third participation in the race, but every edition is different and every boat brings a new challenge. A new IMOCA always comes with a lot of work, learning and preparation, so to have the launch just one week away and already be looking ahead to Saint-Malo is really exciting. The Route du Rhum will be my first solo race on this boat and a very important step in the build-up to the Vendée Globe and in our broader Team Malizia racing programme.”

The new yacht, which will be launched in Lorient on 

, opens a new chapter for Team Malizia. After the launch, the team will enter an intense period of sea trials, training and Boris Herrmann’s Route du Rhum qualification race over the summer, ensuring both skipper and boat are ready for the major challenges ahead. 

Since 2018, Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia have combined top-level offshore racing with a 

, using their races to collect valuable Ocean data from some of the most remote parts of the planet. This commitment will continue aboard the team’s new yacht. As with previous Team Malizia boats, the new IMOCA will be equipped with the 

, an automated mini-laboratory running during training and competition, and will also occasionally deploy drifter buoys or Argo floats. Shared with Team Malizia’s scientific partners, the collected data contribute to long-term research and help improve understanding of the Ocean’s role in the climate system.

A Race We Must Win – Climate Action Now!

 and partnerships is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its 

: EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Hapag-Lloyd, Schütz, KPMG Germany, and the Yacht Club de Monaco. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.

The impressive start of the previous edition of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe in 2022

Boris Herrmann in the sail locker of Team Malizia's new IMOCA race yacht, to be launched on 6 July 2026

Team Malizia's new IMOCA race yacht, to be launched on 6 July 2026 in Lorient (photo from May 2026)

Team Malizia's new IMOCA race yacht, to be launched on 6 July 2026 in Lorient (photo from May 2026) ©️ Flore Hartout | Team Malizia

Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia announce the skipper's third Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe campaign, which he will contest aboard the team's new IMOCA yacht