Every year in January, the BOOT Düsseldorf opens its doors to more than 200.000 visitors from around the world wanting to learn about the new developments in the water sports sector, indulge on the fascination of high tech boating equipment and engage in conversations and panel discussions with other water-fanatics. 

For Team Malizia, this marked our fourth consecutive year participating in the week-long event from January 18th to 26th, 2025. However, due to the dates overlapping with Boris’ expected arrival in Les Sables d’Olonne, Team Malizia had to squeeze everything into one day - and what a day it was!

Starting the day on a high, Kerstin Hainke of Team Malizia officially announced our new collaboration with Gleistein, a Bremen-based company specialising in high-quality ropes for maritime, industrial and outdoor applications. With over 200 years of tradition, Gleistein shares our belief that progress and ecological responsibility can go hand in hand. Together, we are excited to continue competing at the highest level, while maintaining our commitment to sustainability. Gleistein is the perfect partner in this mission, with its focus on modern, innovative technologies and the development of tailored solutions using raw materials.

The day continued with Kerstin joining Team Malizia’s supplier FRISCH for an open Q&A session answering questions about our team, Boris Herrmann and his journey around the world as part of the Vendée Globe. Engaging in conversations with amid sailing lovers as well as newbies to the Vendée Globe and offshore racing extravaganza. Additionally, Heinke Böhnert, a Hamburg-based artist and friend of the team, raised awareness for the Malizia Mangrove Park in the Philippines. Böhnert’s art combines sailing, sustainability, and repurposed yacht sails, including materials from the previous IMOCA, the Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco, which competed in the 2020/21 Vendée Globe and our current Malizia - Seaexplorer. She donates a portion of the proceeds from her work to support the Mangrove Park, which has now surpassed the 2 million mark in mangrove donations. You can explore her art here.

In the evening, it was then time for one of the biggest events of the week, the Flagship Night. 

Drawing in big names of the watersport scene, this evening of awards and recognition coincidentally brought together many long time supporters and friends of Team Malizia, showing again, how small and supportive the sailing world is. This evening was dedicated to honoring winners of the prestigious ‘Yacht of the Year’ and ‘Powerboat of the Year’, as well as celebrating the winner of the ‘Seamasters Award 2025’.

The winner of the ‘Seamaster 2025’ award was Cole Brauer, an offshore sailor and an unofficial ambassador for global offshore sailing. Having competed in the 2022/23 Global Solo Challenge, where she secured second place, Cole has gained a massive following with her authentic and engaging storytelling on social media.

 Notably, Boris, who won the same award in 2020, serves as Cole’s mentor in the context of the Magenta programme, which aims to support women in sailing.

Unable to attend in person, Cole Brauer joined virtually to accept the prestigious prize, with Kerstin accepting the award on her behalf.

While Boris continues his journey in the Vendée Globe, the focus is already shifting to the next race for the Malizia - Seaexplorer: The Ocean Race Europe 2025. With Kiel, Germany, serving as the starting port for this event, Boris was invited virtually to BOOT Düsseldorf to talk with Ulf Kämpfer, Mayor of Kiel, and Mirko Gröschner, Marketing Chief for the German Ocean Race division. Here they talked about the exciting race in which Team Malizia will participate for the first time and will start in Germany. After the huge success of the fly-by in Kiel during The Ocean Race 2022-2023, Team Malizia is keen to return to Germany's sailing city and welcome their fans in a big celebration next summer.

What a difference a day makes! A new partnership, engaging conversations with old friends and new faces, a prestigious award for a close friend of the team, and an exciting race to look forward to! It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of what’s ahead, but for now, we’re focused on returning to France to await Boris’ arrival in the Vendée Globe 2024/25 - another reason to celebrate!