Vendee Globe Trophy: Alex Thomson hit by problems despite cutting into lead
ALEX THOMSON has had a Christmas to remember, having passed Cape Horn and halved Vendee Globe leader Armel Le C’leach’s advantage.
Alex Thomson prepares to tackle The Vendée Globe
The HUGO BOSS skipper, who struggled through the southern Pacific with his damaged boat forced onto its unfavoured port tack, has managed to reduce Banque Populaire’s lead to just 300 miles since the turned north up the Atlantic and headed for the finish line on the French Normandy coast.
But Thomson has been hit by problems again, as he is struggling to download good weather information due to internet communication problems.
Alex Thomson reduced Banque Populaire’s lead to just 300 miles
“I have just slowed down a bit because it is quite windy,” he said. “I don’t have any wind instruments right now and I don’t have much weather information.
“When I was going really fast with all the water coming over the bow, over the satellite antenna, that is the last antenna I have left and I can’t get any internet.
The HUGO BOSS skipper admits he has slowed down a bit
“So I have rolled the jib away and I am sailing with just the mainsail, but I am still making averages of 18 knots.
“Otherwise it is all good, no problems. I could do with a little bit of sleep, I will do that now as I go slowly.”