Vendee Globe - Alex Thomson to dive and cut off broken foil + Video

by Translated from French by Sail-World NZ on 20 Nov 2016 Despite breaking his foil, Alex Thomson (GBR) continues to make good speed at the head of the Vendée Globe fleet.

The first seven sailors (from Alex Thomson to Jérémie Beyou) continue to sail at more than 20 knots ahead of a Depression that should propel them to the Cape of Good Hope. They have made a break with their pursuers who have to make some key strategic decisions .
 
Some loss of Hugo Boss's lead was expected following the damage of starboard foil aboard Hugo Boss, Alex Thomson, but according to the volodiaja.net tracking system, Thomson has both made ground on his competitors and is sailing almost 2kts faster.

Latest positions show the British sailor as being almost 90nm ahead of the second placed boat.



Alex Thomson returned to discussing the breakage of his foil and delivered his feelings on his continuation of the race.

Alex Thomson: 'Yesterday I had a drop in morale when the foil broke. Today it's getting better. I always have a piece of foil coming out of the boat and slowing me down. But I can not do anything. I can not retract it.

'When the conditions subside, I will dive to cut the end that protrudes. The boat still works well at this pace, and the other foil is intact.

'Obviously it is a disappointment but apart from that, everything goes well aboard the boat. I have to get used to a more classical IMOCA than a foiler!

'I am in good shape and I still lead the race. I will work hard, push the boat as far as I can and stay in the game. All is not lost. I will pray that the rest of the race can be sail ed mainkly on starboard tacks ... '

Behind the wounded Hugo Boss, the pack is chasing hard.

Always well ahead of an active depression, Armel Le Cléac'h and Sébastien Josse were 86 miles and 89 miles respectively from Thomson at 1800hrs UTC