14.01.2007
HUGO BOSS EMBARKS ON FINAL LEG OF BARCELONA WORLD RACE
Thomson and Cape round Cape Horn and head north back to Spain
British yachtsman Alex Thomson and his Australian co-skipper Andrew Cape ("Capey") have begun their return trip up the Atlantic Ocean, towards the finish of the Barcelona World Race. Having rounded Cape Horn at 01:13 GMT on Sunday 13th January 2008, HUGO BOSS is currently just over 6,000 nautical miles from the finish line in Barcelona. Lying in second place, she is expected to reach the finish in approximately four weeks time.
Having spent the last 6 weeks in the grueling Southern Ocean, the warmer conditions in the South Atlantic will be welcomed with open arms. With the boat breaking conditions of the deep south behind them, Thomson and Cape will now look to make inroads into the lead of first placed Paprec Virbac. The final drag race to the finish will be tricky, with several areas of unstable conditions. The Doldrums in particular will be a real test for HUGO BOSS and Paprec Virbac, and could offer Thomson and Cape the opportunity to close the gap.
Thomson commented: "It's a great feeling to be heading north back up the Atlantic. We have had some pretty variable weather down here over the last few weeks, from high winds and big seas to mill pond conditions - I am certainly looking forward to a bit of warmth! Capey and I are very happy with our position at the moment, as we wait to see what the weather gods dish out. Unfortunately, Paprec Virbac is a little too far ahead to catch on boat speed alone, so we are in need of a little bit of luck with the weather to close the gap further.
Thomson continued: "This has been a fantastic race for us onboard HUGO BOSS. Rounding Cape Horn and leaving the Southern Ocean behind represents a huge milestone for me. We have learnt a tremendous amount about the boat and I personally have learnt a lot from Capey about round the world navigation. We are really looking forward to getting back to Barcelona and seeing all our friends and family. Not long to go now!"
- End -
Alex Mills - Pitch PR
T : +44 (0)207 494 1616
M: +44 (0)7825 363646
E: alex@pitchpr.com
About Alex Thomson
* Alex Thomson set a new 24hr solo monohull World Speed Record in December 2003 covering 468.7nm at an average speed of 19.5 knots during the Défi Atlantique, in which he finished 3rd.
* At 25, Alex Thomson became the youngest skipper ever to win a round the world race - the Clipper Race 1998/99.
* In October 2005 Alex Thomson stepped forward as the only skipper to confirm that he will be racing "3 in 3": 3 grueling round the worlds in as many years: the solo VELUX 5 Oceans in 2006, the inaugural two-handed Barcelona World Race 2007 and the blue ribbon Vendée Globe 2008. Unfortunately Alex's yacht HUGO BOSS suffered keel failure during the VELUX 5 Oceans, forcing him to abandon ship in the Southern Ocean and retire from the race.
Alex has one dream: to be the first Briton to win the Vendée Globe.
www.alexthomsonracing.com
|
