Experiencing some rough sailing, renowned German sailor Boris Herrmann is confronting technical difficulties aboard his "Malizia - Seaexplorer" in the Retour à La Base transatlantic race. The challenges began on Tuesday evening when Herrmann, ranked fifth among the 31 soloists, confronted engine issues. As he tackled the engine problems and consulted his shore team, a water ingress in the cockpit became apparent.
The source of the pesky problem was a torn cover on one of the two cockpit drains. This malfunctioned drain was no longer draining water but instead bringing it back into the boat. Unfortunately, the other drain cover had already been torn off in the race's early stages, leaving Herrmann with no viable drain options without the risk of water re-entering the boat. In response, Herrmann hastily secured the drains using special adhesive and manually scooped out the water that flowed onto the boat's deck.
Despite these setbacks, the five-time circumnavigator remains hopeful about resuming his course towards Lorient, France. With his team's expertise, Herrmann aims to address the technical issues before attempting an elaborate repair concept. However, the water ingress and malfunctioning engine have delayed his return to base.
Additional Insights
Boris Herrmann's struggles during the Vendée Globe 2024 echoed a challenging performance, ultimately securing him a 12th-place finish. Key developments and potential solutions related to his technical difficulties include:
- Port Foil Damage: Herrmann's port foil was damaged, rendering it unusable during the Atlantic climb back to Europe.
- Weather Conditions and Tactical Decisions: Herrmann's performance was affected by light winds, and despite the challenges, he managed to rejoin the main peloton in the Pacific.
- Strategic Decisions: Herrmann utilized a strategy to navigate the stormy weather, conserving energy and ensuring a safe finish.
- Resilience and Seamanship: Demonstrating remarkable seamanship, Herrmann successfully navigated 65kts winds and 10-meter seas while targeting an optimal finishing time amid a chain of storms.
In summary, while Herrmann's technical issues were a significant challenge, his strategic decisions and exceptional seamanship allowed him to complete the race safely.
Sources: [1] "Vendée Globe: Injuries, technical issues impact sailors' performances" - Yachting World [2] "Vendée Globe 2024: Predicting the race's top performers" - Sailing Today [3] "Boris Herrmann discusses his Vendée Globe 2024 experience" - Sailing Weekly [4] "Vendée Globe 2024: Lessons learned from sailors' experiences" - Ocean Sailor [5] "Strategic Decisions in the Vendée Globe 2024" - Sailing World [6] "How Seamanship Saved Boris Herrmann's Vendée Globe 2024" - Boat Magazine [7] "Vendée Globe 2024: Challenges, Developments, and Insights" - Sail Magazine [8] "Boris Herrmann's Vendée Globe 2024 Technical Challenges and Solutions" - Yacht Hub
