Sailing: On the podium of The Transat, Boris Herrmann and Sam Davies will be serious outsiders for the Vendée Globe

Little by little the bird builds its nest. Let’s add: without making too much noise. The saying fits like a glove for Boris Herrmann (Malizia – Seaexplorer) and Samantha Davies (Initiatives Coeur) who complete the podium in The Transat race from Lorient and in New York. won by Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa). Far from being media skippers in the IMOCA fleet, they nevertheless remain sailors who are always (very) well placed in the races on the circuit. Never mind the absence, on The Transat, of Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable 1) and Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable 2), the early departure of Jérémie Beyou (Charal) or the journey, slowed down at the end, of Charlie Dalin (Macif).

Quietly, Boris Herrmann asserts himself

The German confirms this by taking second place in The Transat, only 2 hours 18 minutes and 59 seconds behind the winner. It should be said that the skipper based in Lorient has stored much experience at the helm of his IMOCA launched in the summer of 2022. In difficulties on the Route du Rhum after injury (24th), he continued with The Ocean Race, the occupied world tour with stopovers. At the end of the seven stages, he finished 2nd in the general classification in the summer of 2023. Before continuing with a 7th place, in doubles, on the Jacques Vabre transatlantic, then a 5th place, solo, on the Retour à La Base last . fall. 5th place in Vendée Globe 2020-2021, after an unfortunate collision with a fishing boat in the final while aiming for the podium, Boris Herrmann asserts himself as a very serious client for the next edition.

Sam Davies, best sailor and true outsider

Sam Davies can also claim this status, and also the best sailor in the fleet. She finished on the third step of the podium 5 hours 51 minutes and 36 seconds behind the winner. At the helm of Initiatives Coeur, launched in summer 2022, the British woman continues to climb in the ranking of the last races. Also in difficulty on the Route du Rhum (28th) with a new monohull to deal with and damage to deal with, the skipper gained further experience on Paul Meilhat’s boat (Biotherm) in The Ocean Race, before continuing on the monohull of the Jacques Vabre transatlantic (5 . with Jack Boutell) and Retour à La Base (6th). A now reliable boat that she has in her hands as proof of this 3rd place at The Transat. And if she doesn’t encounter any pitfalls on the return from New York to the Vendée Les Sables d’Olonne, Samantha Davies will be able to boast of being, among the skippers of new boats, the one who has sailed the most races in events in the IMOCA Championship since the autumn 2021. Fourth in the Vendée Globe 2008-2009, before leaving the two consecutive editions, she will undoubtedly be one to follow from next November.