PHOTO OF THE DAY

Alex Thompson's Batbox

Share on social media

The team of renowned British offshore yachtsman Alex Thomson has unveiled to the world his new IMOCA 60 HUGO BOSS. It will be the boat on which Thomson will compete next November in the Vendée Globe, the 4-yearly non-stop round-the-world singles regatta. A video showing the boat being pulled out of the hangar has alsobeen posted on the yachtsman's Twitter.

The design of this IMOCA, created specifically for the Vendée Globe, was conceived by KarimRashid. Although this is the first time a designer has been entrusted with the exterior of a racing yacht, he has a track record of over 4000 projects involving architecture, interiors, furniture and fashion and has won nearly 300 awards.French naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost (VPLP) and British naval architect Jason Carrington designed and built the project alongside Rashid and Thomson's technical team.

A stylish hydrofoil, black and red, could make a splash in any Batman film if he would switch from a motor ship to a sailboat.

Let's hope Alex Thomson finally gets lucky on this beauty. The last times Thomson has competed in the Vendée Globe, he only managed to finish third (in 2013) andsecond (in 2017). The British yachtsman led the race, set speed records, but then some unexpected problem invariably prevented him from completing the circumnavigation as winner. Twice, in 2004-2005 and 2008-2009, he failed to finish the race.

The main test of the new IMOCA is scheduled for the autumn. On it Thomson will take part in Transat Jacques Vabre.

According to Thomson, this will be a key factor in the learning curve with this 5,395 nautical mile event that will start in Le Havre, France, andfinish in El Salvador, Brazil, on October 27. Thomson will be joined aboard by seven-time Volvo Ocean Race competitor Neal McDonald, who has 30 years' experience in professional sailing.

Share on social media