Please select your home edition
Edition
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit

Vendée Globe – Alex sets 2 race records as he passes Cape of Good Hope

by Alex Thomson Racing on 24 Nov 2016
High Spirits onboard Hugo Boss - Vendée Globe Mark Lloyd / Hugo Boss
Today at 15:04 UTC, British sailor Alex Thomson smashed two more race records in the solo, non-stop, around the world race, the Vendée Globe as he reached the Cape of Good Hope in 17d 22hrs 58mins.

Thomson has beaten the previous race record to this milestone by 5d 0hrs 48mins. The former record of 22d 23hrs 46mins was held by skipper Armel Le Cléach onboard Banque Populaire in 2012. Le Cléach is currently in second place, 89.9 nautical miles behind Thomson onboard HUGO BOSS. Thomson has been consistently leading the fleet since the 12th November 2016, averaging speeds in excess of 20 knots.

Thomson has also broken a second race record from the Equator to the Cape of Good Hope, passing in 8d 20hrs 00mins, which was previously held by Jean Pierre Dick in 2013 onboard Virbac-Paprec 3, at 12d 2hrs 40mins. This means Thomson has set two new race records in one day.

The Vendée Globe takes place every four years and has historically been dominated by the French. This year’s edition sees 29 IMOCA 60s compete in the race, with Thomson as the only British entry.

Renowned for being one of the most gruelling sporting challenges in the world, only 71 of 138 sailors to date have finished the Vendée Globe since the race’s inception in 1989.

Thomson is determined to be the first British skipper to win the race, which could take upto 80 days to complete. With 28% of the race sailed in 18 days, the skippers still have to pass Cape Leewin and the famous Cape Horn before turning north and sailing back through the North and South Atlantic and crossing the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne.
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350Switch One Design

Related Articles

Port Phillip Double-Handed Perpetual Cup
66 sailors on 33 boats take part in one of sailing's more demanding formats Melbourne was at her autumnal best on Sunday the 18th of May delivering ideal conditions for the 2025 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) Double-Handed Yacht Race around Port Phillip.
Posted today at 8:45 am
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 1
Racing in Women's World Match Racing Tour Event 2 underway Perfect conditions graced the opening day of the 2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA, Stage 2 of the 2025 Women's World Match Racing Tour following the tour season opener in San Francisco last week.
Posted today at 5:40 am
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 2
It can be easy to win! For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles Win the start, grab the first shift, consolidate and extend! The winning formula is easy, and those who got ahead took full advantage of an easy course once they got to the front. For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles.
Posted today at 5:14 am
In Memoriam - Darren 'Baz' Williams
The yachting industry was shocked and saddened at the passing of Darren Williams The yachting industry was shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of identity Darren (Baz) Williams at the age of 59 after a year-long battle with cancer. In many ways Baz was a very private person and flew under the radar for many...
Posted on 4 Jun
Torrid 29er Nationals test 30 crews at Manly
Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech dominated the Polished Concrete 29er Nationals. Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech teamed up to dominate the 2025 Polished Concrete NZ 29er Nationals at Manly SC, in challenging conditions, over Kings Birthday weekend.
Posted on 4 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 2
American Magic Quantum Racing extend their lead after challenging light winds day Patience, concentration, risk management and perhaps a highly developed sixth sense of the subtle changes in the light breezes, were among the key assets shared by the crews which did best today, the second racing day.
Posted on 4 Jun
Loro Piana Giraglia 2025 preview
139 yachts are set to line up on the starting line Starting tomorrow, Thursday, 5 June, registration opens for the 72nd edition of the Loro Piana Giraglia, the oldest offshore regatta in the Mediterranean.
Posted on 4 Jun
Wild Thing eyeing Sydney to Auckland record
The new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped in May Grant Wharington is getting Wild Thing 100 revved up - the new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped and new sails by Kiwi, Rodney Keenan, added in May - so the timing is right to have a crack at the record in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race.
Posted on 4 Jun
Armstrong Foils Demo Days return for 2025
Test the latest gear, get expert advice, and ride with the pros. Armstrong Foils is proud to announce the return of Armstrong Demo Days for 2025. Test the latest gear, get expert advice, and ride with the pros.
Posted on 4 Jun
International 5o5 Euro Cup Leg 2 at Lake Garda
Stunning scenery, fresh water and great Ora breezes Between May 29th and 31st, 41 505's from 10 countries arrived in the small town of Riva at the Northern end of Lake Garda in Italy for leg 2 of the 2025 505 Euro Cup series.
Posted on 4 Jun