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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.

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Boris Herrmann and his Team Malizia will participate in science events, public activities, partner engagements and sustainability initiatives across Kiel and Hamburg. The programme will feature the team's research vessel Malizia Explorer, presented in Germany for the first time, as well as Team Malizia's former racing catamaran GC32 Malizia 1.

Team Malizia will be in Germany this late June and early July for a series of activities during Kieler Woche and Hamburg Sustainability Week. Throughout the two weeks, skipper Boris Herrmann and numerous team members will take part in science events, expedition announcements, partner activations, public appearances, fan interactions and sustainability-focused initiatives.

The programme will highlight Team Malizia's ongoing commitment to Ocean science, climate action, education and sustainability, while offering opportunities for the public, partners and media to engage directly with the team, learn about upcoming projects and expeditions, and get a glimpse of the exciting developments ahead for Team Malizia's future racing programme. It will also mark the first presentation of the research vessel 

Friday, 19 June – Media Event: Collaboration between 

11:30–12:30 | GEOMAR Pier, Wischhofstraße 1-3, Kiel

Boris Herrmann, Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes (Director of GEOMAR), Prof. Dr. Anja Engel (GEOMAR) and doctoral researcher Jana Silva Willim (GEOMAR) will present the scientific collaboration between Team Malizia's research vessel 

 and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel during a dedicated media event.

In July 2026, several expeditions led by GEOMAR will set out into the Baltic Sea aboard 

, to study seagrass and phytoplankton, among other topics. Team Malizia and GEOMAR have been long-standing scientific partners, notably through the team’s onboard science programme and data collection as it races around the world with its IMOCA race yacht. Since 

’s launch last year, GEOMAR has also been a scientific partner of the research vessel.

The media event will mark the launch of a series of Baltic Sea expeditions taking place in summer 2026 to conduct research on topics including phytoplankton, seagrass meadows, marine biodiversity and Ocean health. Following several months in Antarctica, these will be the first scientific expeditions carried out by 

After short presentations by Boris Herrmann, Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes, Prof. Dr. Anja Engel and doctoral researcher Jana Silva Willim, the programme will continue with a guided tour of 

, showcasing how scientific research is conducted onboard, and conclude with opportunities for interviews.

Friday 19 June – Boris Herrmann & Sebastian Steudtner - Public Event

18:30-19:30 | Sailing Arena Stage in Kiel-Schilksee

Two of Germany’s most iconic Ocean athletes come together for a special public event: big wave surfing world record holder Sebastian Steudtner and offshore sailor and Team Malizia skipper Boris Herrmann.

In an open and personal conversation, they will share stories of friendship and life at the limits of human performance, from the Southern Ocean to some of the world’s most powerful waves. They will reflect on what it means to operate in extreme Ocean environments, and how their roles as athletes extend far beyond sport. Another focus of the evening is safety at sea, including risk, preparation.

The discussion will be moderated by Dania Maria Hohn and feature medical experts and special guests, to promote a stronger safety culture across Ocean sports and recreational water activities. Admission is free and open to the public.

Saturday, 20 June – Kieler Woche Opening Day & Fan Event

18:00-19:00 | Sailing Arena Stage in Kiel-Schilksee

Team Malizia joins the official kick-off of Kieler Woche 2026. At 18:00, skipper Boris Herrmann and co-skippers Will Harris and Cole Brauer will take part in an on-stage Q&A and fan event, followed by an autograph session.

Sunday, 21–Tuesday, 23 June – Partner Activities

, highlighting innovation, sustainability and engagement with the Ocean. These activities offer guests a unique opportunity to learn more about the team, its racing campaign and scientific expeditions, while experiencing sailing first-hand on a high-performance catamaran alongside sailors including Boris Herrmann, Will Harris and Cole Brauer. The GC32 holds a special place in Team Malizia’s history as the first boat the team raced before joining the IMOCA class. The Kiel Week public will also be able to watch the GC32 in action along the Strande coast, where it will be seen sailing up and down the shoreline.

Wednesday, 24 June – Malizia Explorer Travels to Hamburg

relocates from Kiel to Hamburg to continue the programme as part of Hamburg Sustainability Week. 

Thursday, 25 June – My Ocean Challenge Children’s Event in Hamburg

10:00-13:00 (exact timings TBC) | Hamburg

Boris Herrmann and Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann will welcome local schoolchildren aboard the 

 for a special My Ocean Challenge educational event. The programme will begin at a local school, where students will learn about the importance of Ocean health, scientific exploration, and climate action. Following the school session, the children dressed in marine-themed costumes will join Boris Herrmann aboard the 

 to present their wishes and messages for the future of the Ocean and the research vessel's ongoing missions. The event will conclude with guided tours of the boat, giving the children the opportunity to discover how scientific data is collected from some of the world's most remote Ocean regions and gain insight into life and work aboard a sailing research and outreach vessel. 

Media are welcome to cover the event (following prior registration, see below). Please note that this is a small, closed-format event with selected school groups and is not intended for prior announcement as the event is not open to the public.

Thursday, 25 June  – Malizia Explorer Arrives in Hamburg

After travelling from Kiel and a short stop in Hamburg-Finkenwerder, 

 will arrive at Hamburg’s Sandtorhafen around 17:00. Fans are welcome to greet the boat as it enters the city for the first time.

Sunday, 28 June – Sundown Sail in Hamburg

Team Malizia will celebrate the presence of its research vessel 

 in Hamburg with a special sundown sail. The event will bring together leading representatives from the science, sustainability and policy communities to highlight the importance of Ocean research and climate action. Alongside Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia members, confirmed guests include Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, GEOMAR Director Katja Matthes, and additional stakeholders from across the science and sustainability sectors.

Media representatives interested in attending any of the events, joining selected activities, arranging interviews, or receiving further information are invited to contact:

Please note that for most of the events listed above, Team Malizia will make a selection of photos and video footage available to media shortly after the event. The content can be accessed via the Team Malizia image bank homepage. 

Please ensure that all published content is credited according to the photo or video credit information provided in the respective file description.