Vendée Globe 2016-2017: can a non-French skipper win?

Participants race on sports high-speed yachts of the class Open 60, the cost of which exceeds a million euros. Since the race was founded in 1989, the French have always won the race. This moment cannot but depress and at the same time motivate participants from other countries.

So maybe the 2016 race ends with a victory for the first non-French yachtsman? At least such ambitions have Alex Thomson on a yacht Hugo boss, for whom the next race will be the fourth in his life.

Like all previous yachts, the new high-tech monohull Hugo boss, was designed by the famous tandem VPLP-Verdier... Its weight is 7.5 tons.

According to Thomson himself, his new yacht will be lighter and narrower than all yachts built to participate in Vendée Globe 2016-2017.

“If, when building a boat, you managed to achieve stability and balance, then why do you need a wider boat, which accordingly weighs more and therefore loses in speed. A narrow boat offers less wetted surface and less drag. This can play a decisive role in racing. " - reflects the 42-year-old Alex Thomson.

The British skipper first gained public attention when in 1998 he became the youngest participant in the doubles round the world race. Clipper Round the World Race... In issue Vendée Globe 2012 of the year, the Briton showed himself excellently, having won an honorable third place at the finish line.

In the next race, Thomson is going to at least improve his 2012 result, and ideally come first and go down in history as the first non-French driver to become a winner. Vendée Globe.

23.09.2016