On Saturday 21st November, Alex Thomson discovered structural damage to a longitudinal beam on the bow of his boat. After 4 days of repairs and some 300 miles behind his rivals at the head of the fleet, the British skipper was back in the role of the hunter.
Nearly a week later, Alex Thomson was hit with another blow. On Friday 27th November, after 19 days of racing, the skipper indicated to his team that he was encountering a problem on his starboard rudder. The latter then told him to disconnect his rudder to regain control of his boat.
Finally, the decision to abandon the race was made on Saturday, November 28th. Unable to repair his appendix, the skipper of Hugo Boss informed the race management that he was putting an end to his round the world race.
"A repair is not possible. So we accept that this is the end of the race for us. Myself, my team and our partners are of course deeply disappointed. We believe that the best was yet to come in this race." explained Alex Thomson in a press release.
The yachtsman, who was taking part in his 5th Vendée Globe with a new boat, was certainly not expecting this, as he was clearly aiming to win. He is now heading towards Cape Town, South Africa, where he was 1?800 miles away this weekend and should reach the port in six days time.
After Nicolas Troussel, who also sailed on a new, latest-generation IMOCA boat - Corum l'Epargne - so it's a second skipper who is stopped in his race.
The support of other skippers
Several skippers were keen to show their support for Alex Thomson, in particular Fabrice Amédéo, who had to return to Les Sables d'Olonne after the start to repair his boat.
"The BOSS will be back
For the past two weeks, I have been going through a lot of emotions every day and I find this backward position, far behind everyone else, appallingly difficult. But since this Saturday at midday, I am no longer complaining. I no longer have the right to do so. Because the Vendée Globe has lost one of its favourites, Alex Thomson, who is heading towards Cape Town.
But our race lost more than that. Alex has revolutionised our sport: his boats are still the most beautiful and are one step ahead of his rivals. Alex has modernised communication around sailing by breaking down all barriers: Keel Walk, Mast Walk, Sky Walk. There's him and the others.
The Vendée Globe needs a victory from Alex Thomson. I hope it will be for 2024. And on top of all that, Alex is nice and modest. So the race is losing a favourite, but also a great man today!
I think well of him and his whole team.
