Storms and lightning strikes: Extreme situations in the Atlantic
The final leg of the Vendée Globe across the Atlantic began for Boris with one of the most challenging weather conditions of his sailing career. A huge storm, accompanied by thundering waves and whipping winds, pushed him and his boat, the Malizia – Seaexplorer, to the limit. In the middle of the storm, a nearby lightning strike hit the on-board electronics and paralysed central systems. But Boris was not intimidated by this: thanks to his experience, his technical skills and the help of his team on land, he managed to restore the most important systems and regain control of the boat. After all, this was not the first time his boat had been struck by lightning. Six months ago, he had already experienced a more dramatic lightning strike scenario in New York. Back then, almost all of the electronics were beyond repair. This time he was luckier. The extent of the strike was limited and could largely be repaired single-handedly.
Mental strength is decisive
However, the extreme isolation and constant dangers on board bring not only physical but also mental challenges. In his reports, Boris Herrmann repeatedly talks about his coping tactics for the loneliness and the enormous lack of sleep. Mental strength was also crucial during his mast ascent, which took him to a height of 29 metres. He once again overcame his severe fear of heights and climbed to the highest point of his Malizia – Seaexplorer to carry out repairs on the “Arbalète“. The extreme swaying motion of the mast in the middle of the stormy Atlantic made this operation a real feat of strength.
Boris remains highly motivated despite the challenging weather conditions and the associated minor setbacks. The coming days in the Atlantic will decide whether he can fight his way forward. In addition to optimal navigation and good weather conditions, the intactness of the boat and skipper will be crucial.
Follow Boris' journey to the finish live on Team Malizia's race tracker at
www.team-malizia.com/live
