Vendee Globe - Thomson makes big gain as race leader slows
by Annie Sheehy and Sail-World on 13 Jan 2017
Hugo Boss, skipper Alex Thomson (GBR), off the Kerguelen Islands, flied over by the National French Marine Nivose Frigate, during the Vendee Globe, solo sailing race around the world, on November 30th, 2016 Marine Nationale / Nefertiti / Vendee Globe vendeeglobe.org
With the Vendée Globe approaching its final days, British sailor Alex Thomson is in second place, 150 nautical miles behind French rival Armel Le Cléac’h.
Thomson has claimed back 64 miles overnight in difficult conditions for the leading two IMOCA’s in the North Atlantic.
With 92% of the race complete, Alex is heading towards the Azores and sailing at a speed of 12 knots with 1942 nautical miles standing between him and the race finish at Le Sables d’Olonne. At the latest position report race leader Armel Le Cleac'h (Banque Populaire V) had slowed to less than 4kts while Thomson is sailing at over 12kts.
Thomson is currently in light winds between the Cape Verde Islands and the Canaries and hopes to gain on Banque Populaire V ie today. The weather will continue to test Alex as the winds are lighter than usual in the North Atlantic. The important focus on the final leg of the Vendée Globe is to maintain Hugo Boss and reach the finish in record time.
If Thomson wins this year’s edition he will be the first Briton to claim victory in this gruelling challenge, a race which to date has been won only by French competitors.
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