No Vendée Globe in 2024 for Alex Thomson
For nearly 20 years, Alex Thomson has been racing in the IMOCA circuit with the ultimate goal of winning the Vendée Globe. A solo round the world race in which he has taken part 5 times, but never won. Aboard more and more technological boats from one edition to the next, he has nevertheless achieved several records and podiums. However, he will not be at the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe, as his partnership with the luxury brand Hugo Boss will end in 2021.
"After 8 campaigns of racing around the world, we have learned a tremendous amount. We have designed and built some of the most innovative boats in the class and our 2016 boat was considered the benchmark boat of its generation. We will continue to leverage our experience in boat design and construction to successfully complete new campaigns. I look forward to the next campaign that will take us to the start of the Vendée Globe in 2024." explains Ross Daniel, Alex's Technical Director since 2020.
Supporting the new generation
The skipper now intends to devote himself to his family, without abandoning ocean racing. With his team Alex Thomson Racing, owner of the current Hugo Boss, he is looking for new partners to launch the construction of a new IMOCA, on board which a new sailor will take the start of the round the world race in 2024. Discussions are already underway to recruit the person who will take over from the navigator, who will not necessarily be Anglo-Saxon. Alex Thomson will be present to accompany the new recruit, a sort of technical director, as Vincent Riou did with Sébastien Simon, or recently Jean Le Cam with the young Violette Dorange.
"I have had the privilege of racing in IMOCA 60s for almost 20 years. I love the sport but it's time for me to spend more time on land with my family. My wife Kate has been raising our children alone for the past ten years while I have been pursuing my dream. I now want to support Kate and give her the same freedom she has given me. This doesn't mean I'm retiring, but it does mean I'm changing my role and spending more time on land rather than at sea." explains the navigator.
The latter does not exclude the fact of being again at the start in 2028.
