After months of design, engineering and construction, Team Malizia reached a major milestone in June with the official launch of Malizia 4, the team’s newest IMOCA and the next chapter in its offshore racing programme.
Continuing our Road to The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 series, we now turn our attention from the construction of the yacht to the moment Malizia 4 entered the water for the first time, marking the beginning of its commissioning programme in Lorient, France.
The launch followed more than two years of development involving over 150 people and approximately 85,000 hours of work. Built by CDK Technologies and designed by Antoine Koch in collaboration with Finot-Conq and Gsea Design, the yacht represents the latest evolution of Team Malizia’s IMOCA programme.
For skipper Boris Herrmann, the launch marked the culmination of an extensive development process involving designers, engineers, boatbuilders and the wider Team Malizia organisation.
Following the launch, Malizia 4 entered a carefully planned commissioning programme designed to prepare the yacht for offshore competition. The initial schedule included stepping the mast, completing static load tests, carrying out the mandatory 90-degree stability test, validating onboard systems and conducting the team’s first sea trials.
The first outings on the water were dedicated to verifying the yacht’s systems and familiarising the sailing team with the new platform. These early sails also provided the opportunity to begin evaluating the boat’s handling characteristics before progressively expanding the testing programme in the weeks ahead.
Speaking after the launch, Boris Herrmann described the occasion as the result of years of work by the entire team, noting that while launching the yacht represented a significant achievement, the focus quickly shifted towards preparing the IMOCA for its first offshore passages and the competitive season ahead.
The commissioning period is a critical phase for every new IMOCA, allowing teams to identify and refine systems before racing begins. For Team Malizia, the programme will continue with extensive testing as the yacht builds towards its first transatlantic crossing and the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026.
The launch of Malizia 4 also marks the beginning of the yacht’s operational life, transitioning from a construction project into an active racing programme. Every sea trial and offshore mile will contribute to the team’s preparation as it develops the boat ahead of a demanding international racing calendar.
With Malizia 4 now on the water, Team Malizia enters the next stage of its campaign, continuing preparations for The Ocean Race Atlantic while laying the foundations for future challenges across the IMOCA circuit, including The Ocean Race 2027 and the Vendée Globe 2028.
Stay with Nowaitlist Pieces as our Road to The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 series continues, bringing you closer to the teams, technology and milestones shaping one of offshore sailing’s most anticipated events.
