Boris Herrmann has secured a second-place finish in the Imoca class at the 2026 Route du Rhum, completing the 3,887-nautical-mile transatlantic crossing in 10 days, 20 hours, 8 minutes, and 36 seconds.
The German skipper arrived in Guadeloupe on November 12, marking his best-ever result in the quadrennial solo regatta. The 13th edition of this traditional race, which has been held every four years since 1978, began on November 1 with 115 solo sailors across six classes departing from Saint-Malo, France.
Herrmann Improves His Previous Route Du Rhum Results
- Herrmann’s second-place finish at the Route du Rhum marks a successful early test for his new Malizia 4.
- The record-breaking pace set by winner Corentin Horeau in the Imoca class establishes a new benchmark for the race.
- Herrmann’s finish is better than his 2018 fifth-place result and his 22nd-place finish four years ago.
Herrmann Finishes Behind Horeau Amidst Heavy Rain
The final stretch toward Pointe-à-Pitre tested the field as shifting wind patterns gave way to heavy rain. According to BILD, Herrmann drove the closing miles through intense precipitation, crossing the line at 4:10 a.m. local time. His average speed of 14.94 knots across the 3,887-nautical-mile course proved sufficient to hold off the trailing fleet, though he finished behind the French winner Corentin Horeau.
Horeau, sailing MACSF, finished a day earlier and set a new benchmark for the Imoca class, beating the previous record by 2 days, 24 minutes, and 16 seconds, as reported by taz.de. While Herrmann trailed the winner, his performance marked a significant recovery from his 22nd-place finish in 2022.
NDR.de said that the conditions were sufficiently volatile to force Herrmann into difficult manual adjustments, describing moments where he was physically thrown against the interior walls of his yacht during the roughest segments of the Atlantic crossing.
Technical Reliability of the Malizia 4
The Malizia 4, which only launched on July 6, faced its most rigorous solo test to date during this race. Herrmann emphasized the vessel’s durability, stating to BILD, “We didn’t really break anything. It is absolutely reliable, has the potential, and is fast under all conditions.” This reliability served as a competitive advantage in a race that saw 18 boats drop out, including major podium contenders.
Other competitors faced significant mechanical and physical setbacks. NDR.de reported that Francesca Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing suffered a broken bowsprit, while Italian sailor Ambrogio Beccaria was forced to retire after a severe fall in the cockpit resulted in respiratory difficulties and muscle contusions. Jérémie Beyou also exited the race following a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures, highlighting the physical toll of the solo crossing.
As of the time Herrmann finished, 18 of the 22 Imoca soloists remained in the race. The overall event victory was claimed on November 7 by French sailor Tom Laperche, who set a record time in the Ultim-Trimaran class.
| Metric | Boris Herrmann (Malizia 4) | Corentin Horeau (MACSF) |
|---|---|---|
| Finish Position | 2nd | 1st |
| Elapsed Time | 10d 20h 8m 36s | 9d 17h 9m 0s |
Strategic Implications for the Ocean Race
This result serves as a critical data point for Team Malizia as they pivot toward the Ocean Race, which begins on January 17 in Alicante, Spain. While the Route du Rhum is a solo event, the data gathered regarding the Malizia 4’s performance will be integrated into the team’s preparations for the crewed global race.
The long-term trajectory for Herrmann remains the 2028/29 Vendée Globe. Having completed over 15,000 nautical miles in four months of testing and racing, the skipper views this period of intensive sailing as a foundation for his future solo ambitions. “This race motivates me a lot for the next chapter,” Herrmann told BILD.
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