In this week’s episode of the Malizia Vendée Show host Holly Cova is joined by Will Harris, Cole Brauer and Special Guest Pifou Dargnies, Team Malizia Technical Director - First streamed live on 20/01/2025

It has been an eventful couple of weeks for Boris Herrmann as he approaches the finish line of the Vendée Globe, and this week the team dives into the series of technical challenges he has faced - from a lightning strike that knocked out most of his instruments, to a second demanding mast climb, and finally, the biggest setback - the loss of his starboard foil after a collision with an unknown object.

As always, Will gives a weather update, explaining the difficult upwind conditions ahead, while Pifou provides insight into the foil damage, why Boris chose to secure it rather than cut it away, and the challenges that decision now presents.

Despite everything, Boris remains focused and determined, navigating the North Atlantic in a compromised but still-racing boat. Cole and Will discuss the mental resilience needed to push through setbacks, and Holly reminds viewers to leave messages of support for Boris, who reads every comment. With an intense final week ahead, the team looks toward the finish in Les Sables-d’Olonne, hoping for some smoother sailing in the home stretch.

Pifou Dargnies is the Technical Director at Team Malizia, overseeing the technical aspects of the Malizia-Seaexplorer campaign. With over a decade of experience, Pifou previously led the Charal IMOCA programme, achieving standout results scuh as third place in the 2022 Route du Rhum. His career began as an engineer with Roland Jourdain, and he competed in the 2013 Mini Transat. A longtime friend of skipper Boris Herrmann, Pifou focuses on optimising the yacht’s performance for events like The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe.

Learn more about Pifou here: www.team-malizia.com/press-releases/pierre-francois-pifou-dargnies-joins-team-malizia-as-technical-director

Music by Rex Banner from Artist.io
Recorded by Holly Cova, Will Harris, Cole Brauer & Pifou Dargnies
Produced by Holly Cova & Dani Devine
Edited by Dani Devine

Copyright Team Malizia SAS and Boris Herrmann Racing GmbH