New look HUGO BOSS enters the water at Gosport, UK. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
by Kassi Denman
Alex Thomson’s sailing campaign got underway again today when the new HUGO BOSS IMOCA 60 took to the water at Endeavour Quay, Gosport giving the yachtsman a chance to see what his new boat is capable of. Thomson’s latest race yacht has been undergoing a dramatic redesign over the last four months and today’s launch was the first time she has been fully unveiled.
The radical redesign has been created under the guidance of renowned boat designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, who has worked closely with Thomson to optimise the ease of use and to allow him to compete at the highest possible level. The most notable change is the two PODS (Oceanic Defence Systems) which replace the old single cockpit and gives the boat a unique and extraordinary new look. In addition, the PODS add significantly improved usage features that are designed to improve the capability and usability of the boat in a number of areas.
The launch marks the next phase of Alex Thomson’s campaign which will see him spend some time getting to know the new boat in the Solent before embarking on a transatlantic crossing to New York. The crossing will give Thomson his first real chance to test the limits of HUGO BOSS which is more powerful than any other boat in the IMOCA 60 fleet.
“We’ve been working hard over the past year to create this amazing boat and we’re really pleased with the result”, said Alex Thomson. “This is the most important part of the campaign for me. Getting the boat in the water and getting to grips with her for the first time is fundamental to the build up to the Barcelona World Race and our entire campaign.
New look HUGO BOSS enters the water at Gosport, UK. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
Thomson will now undergo a rigorous training schedule which will involve a transatlantic and Mediterranean sailing programme before heading to Spain for the start of the Barcelona World Race in December.
“We are extremely pleased to have launched at this early stage, enabling ourselves sufficient time to make any modifications before the race starts in December”, Thomson added.
HUGO BOSS will be unveiled in all its glory at the official boat christening on Thursday 27 May 2010 in London.
About Alex Thomson
Alex Thomson became the youngest skipper ever to win a round the world race in the 1998/1999 Clipper Race. He then moved on to the IMOCA Class where he now participates in all the major races of the World Championship.
In the solo round the world VELUX 5 OCEANS in 2006, Alex’s yacht HUGO BOSS suffered keel failure forcing him to abandon ship in the Southern Ocean and retire from the race.
New look HUGO BOSS enters the water at Gosport, UK. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
His biggest achievement came in the Barcelona World Race 2007 when he set a new 24 hour monohull World Speed record in December 2007 covering an amazing 501,3 miles. With co-skipper Andrew Cape, Alex finished second in the race and will aim in the 2010 edition to go that one step further!
In 2008 Alex competed in the Vendée Globe as one of the race favourites. However, only 3 weeks before the Vendée was due to commence, a French fishing vessel dramatically struck Alex on his delivery to Les Sables d’Olonne. His team fought against the clock to finish the repairs in record time to achieve the impossible - and get Alex to the start line. Alex’s dreams to become the first Briton to win the much coveted title were shattered after only 3 days racing when he discovered HUGO BOSS was letting in water. Devastated, Alex announced his retirement from the Vendée Globe.
Alex is determined to return and compete in the 2012 Vendée, and achieve his dream to become the first Briton to win the Vendée Globe.
Alex Thomson World Record details
Record: 60ft Monohull 24 Hour World Record
Yacht: HUGO BOSS Open 60.
Names: Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape
Start position: 42deg 04.83'S; 5deg 58.56'W at15.30 on 06/12/07
Finish position: 43deg 58.82'S; 5deg 09.80' E at 15.30 on 07/12/07
Dates: 6th to 7th December 2007
Distance sailed: 501.3 nm
Average speed: 20.9 kts
HUGO BOSS IMOCA 60 specifications
New look HUGO BOSS enters the water at Gosport, UK. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
Weight 10.5 tonnes
Length 18.28 m
Width 6.5 m
Airdraft 31.65 m
Depth of keel 4.5 m
Weight of keel 4.5 tonnes
IMOCA Class
IMOCA stands for International Monohull Open Class Association. It is the governing body responsible for the technical rules and regulations of IMOCA Open 60 (ft) yachts that take part in well-known races such as the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre and The Artemis Transat to name a few. IMOCA was established in 1991 and has been recognised as an International ISAF Class since 1998 – safety remains the main priority of the Class.
IMOCA not only manages the evolution of the technical rules but also defines the boats’ IMOCA International Ocean Racing World Championship with point-scoring races. It is because of its wide-spread calendar with races taking place from France, the UK, Spain and the US, that attracts skippers from all around the world.
IMOCA Calendar 2009 – 2012
2009 - Transat Jacques Vabre
2010 - Grand Prix Petit Navire (Exhibition race), The Route Du Rhum – La Banque Postale, The Barcelona World Race
2011 - Grand Prix Petit Navire (Exhibition race), European Pro Tour, The Transat Jacques Vabre
2012 - Grand Prix Petit Navire (Exhibition race), The Artemis Transat, The Vendée Globe
Alex Thomson Racing
