Our Mate Alex Thomson’s Races

[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]

[Aetas]

I also watch the Vendee Globe TV on YT

[Giles]

[Giles]

[Giles]

Alex lost the lead overnight WTF…..

But as I said to a friend, maybe because it's because he is dead....

Though I think a computer malfunction is more likely.

Though these boats will sail for days if not weeks on autopilot with no skipper…..

[goosehd]

I’m wondering if it is a strategic move and the winds will be more favourable for the tract that he wants to take.

It also looks like his vitals monitor is temporarily offline.

[goosehd]

Latest update:

At approximately 19:00 UTC on Saturday 21st November, British Skipper Alex Thomson notified his team on shore of a possible structural issue onboard the HUGO BOSS boat.

At the time, Thomson was located approximately 800 miles east of Rio de Janeiro in the South Atlantic ocean, and was 13 days into the Vendée Globe round-the-world yacht race.

Thomson and his team, together with their appointed naval architects and structural engineers, are now working together to assess the extent of the structural issue and to determine a repair programme and timeline.

Thomson is safe and well onboard, and in regular dialogue with the team. The Vendée Globe race organisation has been notified and is being kept well informed.

We kindly ask that members of the public refrain from attempting to contact the team at this time. A further update will be released on Sunday 22nd November.