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Since her launch in July 2022, Malizia-Seaexplorer has demonstrated remarkable potential, particularly in strong winds and rough seas. This performance is the result of a design focused on the lessons learned from the Vendée Globe 2020. Already during the Great Southern leg of The Ocean Race between Cape Town and Itajai, the boat had shown its ease, even beating the record for distance covered in 24 hours in a monohull (641.13 miles) between Newport and Aarhus.
The hull, a major asset
Malizia-Seaexplorer's hull, designed by VPLP Design, makes all the difference in conditions that will be commonplace in the next Vendée Globe. Armel Tripon, who is preparing his Imoca Les P'tits Doudous with similar molds and who was able to sail on Malizia-Seaexplorer explains: " Malizia's rounder, rockier hull makes the boat more comfortable and efficient downwind. On my previous Vendée Globe, I had a taut hull that caused frequent burying, which is much less the case with Boris's boat. "
This design enables Malizia-Seaexplorer to maintain high speeds while retaining great stability, as demonstrated by Herrmann's performance during The Transat CIC. Despite difficult conditions, with strong winds and heavy seas, the Imoca showed an impressive ability to accelerate without losing control.
A spacious, ergonomic cockpit
Malizia-Seaexplorer's cockpit is another of its strengths. Christopher Pratt, who sailed on board during The Ocean Race, emphasizes: " A lot of work has been done on single-handed sailing, with a very ergonomic and spacious cockpit, which has a positive impact on the sailor's morale over long races. "This design offers effective protection against the elements while allowing 360-degree vision, essential for the morale of soloists.
Herrmann confirms the importance of these developments: " Inside, I have a lot of room and feel really comfortable. We took a big step forward this winter in fitting out the boat with adapted seats, optimized watch stations and a suspended bunk with shock absorber. "
Successful collaboration for affordable performance
The transparency and collaboration between the Herrmann and Armel Tripon teams were also decisive. " Team Malizia was an open book with us "says Tripon. This cooperation has further optimized the performance of these new-generation IMOCAs. Herrmann adds: " Malizia is well tuned, reliable, with good forgiveness characteristics and affordable performance. You can sail it heeled, counter-heeled, with trim or not, it never stops ". These characteristics will be crucial for the Vendée Globe, especially in the Southern Ocean.
The conclusion could be left to Franck Cammas, interviewed by Tip & Shaft: " Malizia is certainly the best boat in big downwind breezes, and will be one of the Imoca reference boats around Antarctica during the Vendée Globe. "
