Vendée Globe

Alex Thomson Racing today announced the purchase of the Juan Kouyoumdjian designed IMOCA 60 Pindar. The team intends to compete within the IMOCA circuit, with the main goal being a win in the 2012 Vendée Globe. The boat, constructed at Cookson’s in New Zealand was launched in 2007 and is considered to be the most powerful in the IMOCA fleet.

Here is Alex Thomson's reaction to the news: “I have wanted to work alongside Juan for some time now, and this is a great opportunity to do that over the next three years. I believe that power equals speed, and so it makes sense to buy the most powerful boat in the fleet. I believe that it will really suit my sailing style and that the true potential for this boat has yet to be achieved. I think I can push the boat to the limits that it was designed for. I am very excited to start sailing on her, and see what she and I are capable of over the next three years. The Barcelona World Race will be our first major race together and I will be hoping to go one better than last time!”

The latest rules changes within the IMOCA class means that a boat of this power will not be able to be built again in the future. As for the IMOCA 60 Hugo Boss (built in 2007), she is now available for purchase. Alex will compete onboard her one final time in the Transat Jacques Vabre this November.

The change is not going to be easy for Alex: "Hugo Boss has the potential to win races, and I truly believe it could have won the last Vendée Globe, and will be a serious contender for the next Vendee Globe! Hugo Boss is ready to start the Vendee Globe today and it will be very sad to move on."

Infos précédentes :