First to equator Alex Thomson has broken a race record in Vendee Globe
by Alex Thomson Racing on 16 Nov 2016
Sailing aerial image of the IMOCA boat Hugo Boss, skipper Alex Thomson during training solo for the Vendée Globe Cleo Barnham Hugo Boss
British Skipper Alex Thomson onboard Hugo Boss has crossed the Equator in first place and in the fastest time ever in the Vendee Globe solo, non-stop, round the world race.
Having led the fleet since Saturday evening Thomson has set a new race record reaching the Equator in the Vendee Globe. Crossing the Equator in nine days and seven hours and three minutes. Thomson onboard Hugo Boss has now entered the South Atlantic Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere.
The previous record to the Equator was set in 2004 by French Skipper Jean Le Cam in 10 days and 11 hours. Le Cam is edition currently in ninth position.
The Vendée Globe is a single handed non-stop unassisted race around the world. The race takes place every four years and has historically been dominated by the French. This year’s edition sees 29 IMOCA 60’s in the race. The race is renowned for being one of the most grueling sporting challenges left in the world today. Just 71 of the 138 starters since the race’s inception, back in 1989, have successfully completed the race, and three have lost their lives along the way.
Alex Thomson is determined to be the first British Skipper to win the Vendée Globe. It is a race which could take up to 80 days. Thomson is one of the favourites to win and currently has a lead of 56.3 nautical miles ahead of Armel Le Cleac’h onboard Banque Populaire VIII.
For more information and to track Hugo Boss as she races in the Vendée Globe please visit
website.
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