A thrilling third for Alex Thomson in the Vendee Globe
Alex Thomson realises his long-held dream and finished third in the Vendee Globe Race
February 3, 2013
Finishing the Vendee Globe has been a long-held dream for Alex Thomson, but one that it often seemed he was destined never to achieve. But finish he has, and not only has he finished the race, he's done it in style; becoming the fastest Brit to finish the race, taking third place and illustrating his understanding and seamanship in standing by his competitor Jean-Pierre Dick in his hour of need. Altogether it was an impressive performance and a well-deserved result.
Alex Thomson Hugo Boss finishes third in the Vendee Globe - photo Mark Turner/DPPI/Vendee Globe
Known for his high speed and raw talent (see Stunt Man of Sailing Faces Vendee on Hugo Boss), Thomson's solo career seemed to be haunted by failure; he was forced to abandon his Open 60 in 2006 in the South Indian Ocean when his keel feel off during the Velux 5 Oceans, he was also forced to retire from the last two Vendee Globes – in the 2008-9 edition after only 24 hours at sea. He also retired from the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre after hitting a floating object.
In taking third place in the Vendée Globe, the solo non-stop race around the world which has dominated his life for the last 10 years and which he had twice failed to finish, Alex Thomson set a new non-stop round the world record for a solo British sailor, smashed the existing race record set by Michel Desjoyeaux in 2008-2009, and became only the third ever British skipper to finish on the podium.
Hugo Boss sails towards the crowds - photo Mark Turner/DPPI/Vendee Globe
It's a result that must have exorcised the ghosts of his past disappointments. Thomson sailed into the legendary canal, the artery into the heart of Les Sables d’Olonne at typically breakneck speed, and after 80 days at sea he finally enjoyed the traditional Vendée Globe welcome from by the thousands who lined the banks of the canal.
In a warmly received press conference Thomson was thanked for his recent actions in moving to stand by friend and rival Jean-Pierre Dick, shepherding the French skipper who had lost his keel, through a night of brutal winds and big seas before heading north to the finish.
He spoke of the vital repairs he had to make to his hydrogenerators which kept his hopes of finishing alive, of the pleasure in staying with the faster, newer generation of IMOCA Open 60s, doggedly hanging on the leaders. And at the end of it all, having finally realised his long held ambition, he made his French hosts smile when he confirmed that he had arrived dreaming only of ‘the golden arches’ longing for a Big Mac and lots of mayonnaise!
You can read a transcript of the press conference here Alex Thomson Press Conference, also see the story of the race winner Round the World in 78 days: Gabart Wins The Vendee Globe.
