Boris Herrmann starts at the Vendée Globe

Boris Herrmann has already sailed around the world three times, always under competitive conditions. But the Vendée Globe is a different matter, it is considered the toughest one-handed regatta in the world. Nevertheless, Herrmann expressed optimism in an interview with the magazine “Yacht” before the start: "On paper we are among the ten fastest ships. It will depend very much on how many of the others fail". For participants like Alex Thomson or Jérémie Beyou, only victory counts. "That's not the case with me - I want to hold on!" On average, slightly less than half of the boats make it to the finish.

The start on 8 November took place - due to corona conditions - without spectators. And this, although the field of participants with 33 boats was larger and more diverse than ever before. Six women enhance the competition this year as well. 18 newcomers are facing two veterans, who are taking part in the race for the fifth time. There is a 22-year age difference between the oldest and the youngest participant. For Boris Herrmann the start went without any problems. Shortly afterwards he posted a short video.

The class rules promote the annual innovation push: Sailing is done at Open 60 or IMOCA 60. As the name suggests, the class rules are open. This means that everything is allowed that is not expressly forbidden or contradicts a requirement. Meanwhile the class has become one of the most important for transatlantic and world races. Besides the Vendée Globe, the Barcelona World Race with Open 60 is also held. The Ocean Race" (formerly "Volvo Ocean Race") will in future also allow Open 60 in addition to its own unit class design Volvo Ocean 65.
Even before the starting signal Herrmann was aware of the importance of this race: "I will probably watch the videos and photos of it again and again years later," he said in an interview with the Yacht.