Radical modification to Alex Thompson’s IMOCA 60, Hugo Boss
by brandRapport Arena on 23 Apr 2010
23rd April 2010. Southampton, UK. Alex Thomson’s new Hugo Boss Open 60. Shown here as the yacht is launched from slipway at Green Marine, Southampton Lloyd Images
http://lloydimagesgallery.photoshelter.com/
The latest incarnation of the Hugo Boss IMOCA 60 was given a brief airing on Friday as it was transferred from the Green Marine shed at Spitfire Quay, Southampton to Alex Thomson Racing’s base in Gosport.
Over the last four months the boat has been undergoing a dramatic modification and re-fit under the guidance of boat designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, that will provide Alex Thomson with the most powerful IMOCA 60 in the World.
The boat, now virtually unrecognisable from the original Kouyoumdjian designed Pindar, features a number of radical changes that sets the boat apart from the IMOCA 60 fleet but, under the new grandfathering rule, keeps the boat within the restrictions set down by IMOCA. Alex Thomson Racing is confident that the results will lead to some exciting sailing.
“We’ve worked closely with Juan to create something that’s a bit special and we’re all really pleased with the result,” said Thomson. “We’re in the process of fitting the rig and then we’ll be able to try her out. I’ve been looking forward to that moment for quite a while now.”
Hugo Boss is due to be officially unveiled in all its glory at a high profile launch event in May. Thomson will then embark on a six-month sailing programme that will take him up to the start of the Barcelona World Race in December where he hopes to go one better having finished second in the 2007/8 race.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/68805
