Our Mate Alex Thomson’s Races

[Giles]

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

[Giles]

For example….Effectively real-time....

https://www.alexthomsonracing.com/the-hub/boat/

[goosehd]

Ok.  I did and that is so cool!

How anyone can sail solo in such varying conditions (conditions that could destroy the boat and the occupant) for 70 days is a testament to the determination, genius, and a bit of madness of the skippers.

[goosehd]

@Giles Did you ever get to board his latest boat?  How big is that living quarter?  I find it interesting that he is racing from below deck.

[Giles]

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.

[Giles]

That's why he has a sealed cockpit - he does not like getting wet….

[goosehd]

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.

[Giles]

Dee Caffari used to have her offices close to ours….

Go to 2:20.  When this happened the nearest other human being to her was in the space station

[Giles]

@goosehd

Here is a discussion about the cockpit concept….

And here is some seriously great footage of the old Higo Boss (we have part of that mainsail as an awning at the office now)....

[Giles]

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.

[goosehd]

Giles,

I bet Alex would be great to share a pint or two with.  Also, thank you for the story about Dee.  My hat is off to her.  Being on the mast for 90 minutes in the southern ocean, when you don’t particularly like heights.

[Giles]

He's a fucking heathen - rum and coke…..

[goosehd]

So you’re saying he’s a proper sailor (pirate)! 

I bet he can spin a yarn or two.

[motojobobo]

Any news on Alex’s progress?

[goosehd]

@motojobobo Here is the current info:

[motojobobo]

Thankyou @goosehd ! Looks like Alex is clearly in the lead and doing fine.

[Giles]

You can follow here|:

https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/tracking-map

or here

https://www.alexthomsonracing.com/the-hub/race/

Latest vids here:

https://www.alexthomsonracing.com/the-hub/latest-videos/

[Graeme]

I am impressed by Jean Le Cam. He is sitting in the lead pack in an older boat.

[Giles]

No foils, amazing….

[Giles]