TJV NEWSFLASH: Hugo Boss Damaged

by Lucy Harwood

At approximately 18:20 GMT on 15/11/09, HUGO BOSS crew Alex Thomson and Ross Daniel, reported a collision with an unidentified object in the water. HUGO BOSS was lying in 4th place when the damage was sustained to the starboard bow and they reported that they were taking on water. They have a pump working and are managing the ingress of water. Skipper Alex Thomson reported that conditions onboard are stable and they are not in any imminent danger. The skippers are in regular contact with Race Director Jean Maurel. Alex and Ross have stopped the boat and are assessing the damage to HUGO BOSS with their shore team and the structural engineer from SP before making any decisions on how to proceed. HUGO BOSS is approximately 400 miles South West of the Azores.

Position at 01:00 GMT 16/11/09: 34 20.50 N, 36 18.93 W

“I am gutted, we have done the hard bit, been through the storms and the way ahead was looking very easy. We will monitor the situation overnight and assess in the morning what our options are," Skipper Alex Thomson.

Alex Thomson Racing
Transat Jacques Vabre