Like the character in “Around the World in Eighty Days” (the Jules Verne Classic published in 1872) the German, Boris Herrmann, flying the Monegasque flag finished the toughest sailing competition in the world, the Vendée Globe – solo around the world with no stopovers or assistance in just 80 days.
After over 44.000 kilometres and 80 days of sailing
Boris was lying third just 90 miles from the finish line when he had a freak accident. He was sailing across the Bay of Biscay at up to 20 knots on board SeaExplorer (Monaco Yacht Club) in the darkness when his worst nightmare came true.
39 years old, the young skipper from near Hamburg was sleeping and relying on his radar alarm and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to alert him of any vessels on his trajectory, when his yacht collided with a large Spanish fishing trawler. The stunned skipper awoke to discover none of his alarms had been activated. His damaged boat still managed to limp home to finish the race – a magnificent achievement.
[Arrivée @borisherrmann 🎥]
Après 80j 20h 59min 45s de course, le skipper de Seaexplorer – Yacht Club de Monaco est de retour aux Sables d’Olonne après un tour du monde. Promis à un podium après une course remarquable de régularité, il termine finalement à la 5e place.#VG2020 pic.twitter.com/sDHPQXG7c7— Vendée Globe (@VendeeGlobe) January 29, 2021
Boris Herrmann’s Race time: 80days 14hours 59m 45s. He was placed in the final classification in the 5th place.
“With regard to the time devoted to the rescue of Kevin Escoffier (PRB), and after evaluation of the impact on his race, the Vendée Globe international race jury had awarded 6 hours of compensation to Boris Herrmann,” which led to the final placement of 5th, according to the website of the race.
[Arrivée @borisherrmann 🎥]
Après 80j 20h 59min 45s de course, le skipper de Seaexplorer – Yacht Club de Monaco est de retour aux Sables d’Olonne après un tour du monde. Promis à un podium après une course remarquable de régularité, il termine finalement à la 5e place.#VG2020 pic.twitter.com/sDHPQXG7c7— Vendée Globe (@VendeeGlobe) January 29, 2021
Urging him on during the race were personalities including Greta Thunberg and racing driver Nico Rosberg among others.
Greta, the Swedish symbol of the fight against global warming, tweeted supporting her friend, the German sailor. Together, with Pierre Casiraghi, they had crossed the Atlantic so that the young girl could go to New York without taking a polluting plane.
The Winner of the Vendée Globe
Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq IV) crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe in third position but was declared the winner due to a timing bonus he received in compensation for having taken part in the rescue of Kevin Escoffier.
Suite à la vérification du jury, @YannickBestaven, skipper Maître CoQ IV, est officiellement sacré vainqueur du #VG2020 ! 🏆
Plus d'infos ➡️ https://t.co/caXWFhHkVq pic.twitter.com/eV157T2UEo— Vendée Globe (@VendeeGlobe) January 28, 2021
