Pontoon words: Boris Herrmann (Germany) and Will Harris (Britain) - Malizia II - Yacht Club de Monaco

Will Harris 

Yeah, super happy to finally arrive here in Salvador, long time on the water and a tricky race for us, the initial strategy of going west didn’t pay as we had hoped but it was still really good to come back into the mix a bit towards the Doldrums, we felt like we caught up a lot. It didn’t quite go our way towards the end, but really happy with the race and to be sailing with Boris and to do this rqce with him, so really cool experience. 

Boris Herrmann

It’s great to arrive here in Salvador, amazing welcome, and amazing work by the team, Malizia doesn’t have a scratch on it, the boat is really reliable now. I’m ready for the Vendée and big thanks to Will, it was amazing sailing with you. I’m really happy we were able to do this reace together. The result? We could have a bit more, next time maybe? In two years (looks at Will, both laugh). 

We sailed west and it was taking some risk in a race and trying to win and that’s what we did. This boat really has some sweet spots where she goes almost as quickly as some of the new foilers and that is so beautiful to see her sailing like that in these conditions. We had some really enjoyable days out there. 

Will Harris 

After the western strategy didn’t work we didn’t think the race was over for us, at that point we were 300 miles back and we figured we’ve just got to keep pushing and see what we can do, and knew there was always going to be a chance at the Doldrums. The group in the east - at one point it looked like were were going to get there in front of them - but in the last day through the Doldrums they just took off a bit. But it was really cool to be working our way up the fleet. We caught Corum just as we came in to the finish and very close to Maitre CoQ as well at the end too. Really cool race. 

The finish has been so hotly-contested by all the boats, did it feell like a coastal regatta?

Boris Herrmann

Absolutely, I think our positioning and how close you go to the shore at night, is the night breeze going to affect the wind a lot, so, you ask yourself all kinds of questions and we see the other on AIS, like Corum, we could see them last night, when we overtook them. Of course, that’s an amazing motivation and really nice way to finish the race. From just out there (the Bay of All Saints) we saw Maitre CoQ stopped and we were getting closer.

How did the Anglo-German team work? 

Will Harris

I think we  had really good fun on board working together. We were always trying to push the boat hard and make it go as fast as possible and try and take our decisions together. We’re still talking and still friends (laughs), and Boris gave me a nice initiation as we crossed the Equator, my first time.