Jules Verne Trophy - Brian Thompson on course to smash current record

by Vicky Pounds on 4 Jan 2012 Jules Verne Trophy - Record breaking British sailor, Brian Thompson, is attempting to break the ultimate round the world speed record as helmsman on Banque Populaire V, the world’s largest and fastest racing trimaran skippered by Frenchman Loick Peyron. Thompson is currently on course to smash the record.

Just 42 days ago Loick Peyron, together with his crew of 13, crossed the start line in Brest, France in pursuit of the Jules Verne Trophy, a prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht. Today they look set to beat the current record which stands at 48 days 7 hours 44 minutes and 52 seconds, held by Groupama 3, as they prepare to blast their way across the Atlantic towards the finish line.

South coast based Thompson is the only British crew member onboard Banque Populaire V and, commenting on their progress earlier today, said:

‘We are delighted with our current status and keeping everything crossed that we can enter the record books later this week. I am very proud to be flying the flag for Britain on this voyage and, this being the fourth time I have raced non-stop around the world, have been able to make many comparisons with previous circumnavigations. Believe me, the exhilaration of being onboard Banque Populaire V is like nothing else I have experienced!’

Thompson is no stranger to world records having made it into the history books already by achieving an impressive portfolio of sailing records. A vastly experienced and successful offshore sailor, Thompson has been racing the two and three-hulled speed machines for twenty years, notching up an impressive twenty-five sailing records and setting him apart from every world class sailor on the grand prix circuit.

On successful completion of this voyage, Thompson will also become the first Briton to circumnavigate the globe non-stop for a fourth time, beating existing records held by fellow sailors Dee Caffari MBE and Mike Golding OBE.

With the 2012 Olympic Games looming, the focus this year will be on the sportsmen and women of Britain achieving great things and if offshore sailing were classified as an Olympic sport, surely Brian Thompson and the crew would be on course for gold. Brian Thompson Sailing website