Alex Thomson sets new world record in bid to become first Vendee Globe British winner
ALEX THOMSON set a new world record yesterday as he edged ever closer to becoming the first British winner of the Vendee Globe.
Alex Thomson prepares to tackle The Vendée Globe
The Hugo Boss skipper covered 536.8 nautical miles in 24 hours as he hunted down his French rival Armel Le Cleac’h to reclaim a record he had held for nine years until 2012.
The pair are now expected to be neck in neck on the run-in to Les Sables d’Olonne on Thursday after more than 25,000 miles of solo round-the-world racing and two months at sea.
Alex Thomson reclaimed his world record
Alex Thomson is expected to be close in the race for the Vendee Globe
“It feels like a long time coming – I broke it two months ago but I was less than one full mile ahead so it didn’t count,” said Thomson, who has reduced the leader’s advantage to around 75 miles with less than 1,000 to go.
“I’m not catching him up as much as I would like. I need to be closer before we come out of the last patch of light wind. But I’ll keep on fighting.
“I am struggling with the steering which means when I get to high speeds the boat becomes a little uncontrollable and I’m very nervous, which hasn’t allowed for a lot of sleep. But I’ll put up with it.
“It’s three days to the finish and it’s still all to play for but one thing you can count on – I’m going to fight to the end.”