Translated by Barbara Epp
The Ocean Race 2025: We’re all in the same boat
We were really looking forward to the weekend—even though we didn’t have a clear idea of what to expect in Kiel. The only thing we knew for sure was that, as Planet Hero winners, we’d get to be there in person when the regatta set sail through several European countries. What we experienced then exceeded all our expectations. We learned an incredible amount: about marine conservation, the research behind it, and how professional sailors are making a vital contribution with all their heart and soul. And we now also know who the secret star of Team Malizia is. More on that below.
Sailing for climate protection
Back in Berlin, we look back on eventful days by the sea and inspiring conversations with dedicated climate activists. Seeing how many people firmly stand behind the motto “Climate Action Now” has given us new momentum—for the most important race that we, as humanity, must win together.
Connecting Europe—under this guiding principle, the regatta traveled through seven cities in seven European countries and brought together citizens, scientists, athletes, and policymakers at the Kiellinie (the harbor promenade in the city of Kiel on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast) to advance protection and restoration of the oceans.
A conversation with Carsten Schildknecht, CEO of Zurich Group Germany, and Ulrike Pfreundt of Rrreefs, who was also honored with the Planet Hero Award.
”Nature is a genius - the ocean is an ally”
Before we visited Ocean Life Park over the weekend, politicians, researchers, and professional sailors shared their insights at The Ocean Summit on Thursday. “Nature is a genius—the ocean is an ally,” said Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The oceans store 30% of our CO2 and have absorbed about one-third of all human-made emissions since the beginning of industrialization. They also serve as the Earth’s heat buffer and have absorbed about 90% of the additional heat from global warming—without them, it would already be much hotter on land.
But this buffering capacity is breaking down: warming, acidification, and habitat destruction are weakening the oceans—the weaker they become, the less CO2 they can absorb. “Ocean Health is Climate Health is Human Health,” Matthes continued. For the sake of our health, we must therefore protect the oceans at all costs. And to understand how, we need knowledge: “There is no action without knowledge.” That is why it is crucial that we collaborate internationally and across disciplines. Together, we can make progress on climate protection.
At the Zurich booth, we shared our view on climate and marine conservation with other projects and introduced visitors to the ForTomorrow vision. The explanatory video featuring Hannes Jaenicke was a great help.
Research on board—setting a course for the climate
“We sailors usually split a comb in two to save weight on board. Still, there was no question in our minds about whether to take the OceanPack—which provides important data to the scientists at GEOMAR—on board,” said Rosalie Kuiper, skipper of Team Holcim-PRB, at the summit on Thursday.
The OceanPack is a mobile measurement system that continuously collects seawater samples while underway and records parameters such as CO2 content, temperature, salinity, and microplastics. This data is transmitted to GEOMAR in real time. The team led by skipper Boris Herrmann, Team Malizia, is sailing under the motto “A Race We Must Win. Climate Action Now.” The crew’s deep connection to the ocean—and thus their passionate commitment to climate protection—was palpable. They are using their media reach to raise awareness about the climate crisis and their time on the water to collect valuable data for research.
Boris Herrmann provides background on the crew’s research work at GEOMAR.
Lilli: Team Malizia’s cutest ambassador
Here’s something else we learned: Before you meet Team Malizia, you’ll most likely first see a small female dog happily wagging her tail as she comes toward you. Just like during Jule’s run the morning before the race, when she jogged past Lilli and Boris Herrmann along the Kiel Line.
The Big Day – Start of the Ocean Race Europe
The first surprise came first thing in the morning: at the hotel breakfast, we ran into the Arminia Bielefeld players. Ruth had a chance to chat briefly with captain Maël Corboz, who founded Goals For Tomorrow, the initiative where soccer players and fans donate to ForTomorrow for every goal scored.
Then we headed to the VIP area at Ocean Live Park, where we met and cheered on the crews before accompanying them to the boats for the Sailors Parade. We watched the start from the water, with a perfect view and plenty of adrenaline. The atmosphere was fantastic, even though a collision shortly after the start was a scary moment. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Together with Zurich and rrreefs, also a Planet Hero Award winner, we watched the start live from a speedboat right at the starting line. The NDR livestream broadcast the event.
Thank you to the Zurich Group Germany for inviting us as Planet Hero winners—and best of luck to Boris, Will, Justine, and Cole for the next stages of the Ocean Race Europe.
A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now!
The sailboat ‘Malizia’ just before start. The crew remains on course today.