Our Mate Alex Thomson’s Races
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Was reading few articles these last days about the Vendée. Race extremely popular in France.
The latest generation Imoca monohulls display incredible potential. Full carbon. Flying over the waves, they could allow the Vendée Globe time to drop below the 70-day mark[emoji15]Amazing!!
Now the skippers can check quasi everything from inside the boat. In the cabin totally hermetic/closed. Lot of electronics devices.Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk
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This was an excellent documentary. Turned it on and couldn't turn it off. Really well made
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That was bloody brilliant.
What an amazing guy.
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Go here:
https://www.alexthomsonracing.com/the-hub/race/
You can see all sorts of info, including his sleep (or lack thereof) patterns, etc etc etc
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I have not been on this one. As you probably know, he broke it big time sailing the 2-handed Transat Jacques Vabre last year, so he has not had it on the water nearly as much as he needed to. The last thing he needed was a rank amateur getting in his way when he was trying to learn how to sail it. So, I don't know how big it is, but he does not need a lot of space. But I do know that when he gets back, his lower body will be emaciated from lack of decent exercise (does not have a lot of room for jogging in there), it takes him a long time to get back into decent physical shape.
If he brings it back, I'm def going to have a look around.
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I read a book about sailing in the southern ocean and would completely want a sealed cockpit down there. High winds, unmeasurable swells, crazy temperatures, and the fact that the nearest land mass or help is days away.
I really do respect those guys and think that they are participating in the worlds most dangerous sport.
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For those of you who don't know. The French have historically been the masters of long-distance solo yachting. For years Alex was seen as being "too" professional by the French, they did not like the way he went about this his desire to win in a professional and business-like fashion. Basically, they disliked and mistrusted him.
In the 2012 Vendee, the French skipper JP Dick, lost his keel a few days away from the finish line . Alex diverted his course to shadow JP, whist JP either had to abandon ship or learn how to sail without a keel. That sacrifice made the French love and respect Alex. In 2019 the French awarded Alex the French National Award of Merit (probably the British equivalent of a Knighthood).
As I type this, Alex is heading into the eye of Storm Theta. He has his cojones on the table. The French now call this bravery (us mere mortals would probably call it stupidity) "Doing an Alex"..
I'm proud to know Alex and am frankly humbled by what he is putting his mind and body through…..
Go boy.
