Hi, Guest
« previous next »
Pages: 1 ... 24 25 [26] 27 28 ... 31

Author Topic: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races  (Read 70287 times)

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #375 on: November 13, 2020, 01:59:54 pm »
That's why he has a sealed cockpit - he does not like getting wet....

Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Offline goosehd

  • Iron Heart Deity
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2016
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #376 on: November 13, 2020, 02:27:36 pm »
I read a book about sailing in the southern ocean and would completely want a sealed cockpit down there.  High winds, unmeasurable swells, crazy temperatures, and the fact that the nearest land mass or help is days away. 

I really do respect those guys and think that they are participating in the worlds most dangerous sport.
Logged

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #377 on: November 13, 2020, 02:39:17 pm »
Dee Caffari used to have her offices close to ours....

Go to 2:20.  When this happened the nearest other human being to her was in the space station

Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #378 on: November 13, 2020, 03:31:33 pm »
@goosehd

Here is a discussion about the cockpit concept....



And here is some seriously great footage of the old Higo Boss (we have part of that mainsail as an awning at the office now)....



Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #379 on: November 13, 2020, 06:45:13 pm »
For those of you who don't know.  The French have historically been the masters of long-distance solo yachting.  For years Alex was seen as being "too" professional by the French, they did not like the way he went about this his desire to win in a professional and business-like fashion. Basically, they disliked and mistrusted him.

In the 2012 Vendee, the French skipper JP Dick, lost his keel a few days away from the finish line .  Alex diverted his course to shadow JP, whist JP either had to abandon ship or learn how to sail without a keel. That sacrifice made the French love and respect Alex.  In 2019 the French awarded Alex the French National Award of Merit (probably the British equivalent of a Knighthood).

As I type this, Alex is heading into the eye of Storm Theta.  He has his cojones on the table.  The French now call this bravery (us mere mortals would probably call it stupidity) "Doing an Alex"..

I'm proud to know Alex and am frankly humbled by what he is putting his mind and body through.....

Go boy.

« Last Edit: November 13, 2020, 06:52:28 pm by Giles »
Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Offline goosehd

  • Iron Heart Deity
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2016
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #380 on: November 13, 2020, 08:12:10 pm »
Giles,

I bet Alex would be great to share a pint or two with.  Also, thank you for the story about Dee.  My hat is off to her.  Being on the mast for 90 minutes in the southern ocean, when you don’t particularly like heights.

Logged

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #381 on: November 13, 2020, 08:14:43 pm »
He's a fucking heathen - rum and coke.....
Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Offline goosehd

  • Iron Heart Deity
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2016
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #382 on: November 13, 2020, 08:46:09 pm »
So you’re saying he’s a proper sailor (pirate)!   :D

I bet he can spin a yarn or two.
Logged

Offline motojobobo

  • Iron Heart Deity
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #383 on: November 17, 2020, 10:53:06 pm »
Any news on Alex’s progress?
Logged
The journey is the objective.

Offline goosehd

  • Iron Heart Deity
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2016
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #384 on: November 18, 2020, 01:24:51 am »
@motojobobo Here is the current info:

"CDDF06B1-54DB-41A6-835F-CFCCF8B29488.png"
Logged

Offline motojobobo

  • Iron Heart Deity
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #385 on: November 18, 2020, 03:56:30 am »
Thankyou @goosehd ! Looks like Alex is clearly in the lead and doing fine. 👌🏼👌🏼
Logged
The journey is the objective.

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #386 on: November 18, 2020, 05:17:30 am »
Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Offline Graeme

  • 見習いボス
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #387 on: November 18, 2020, 07:07:00 am »
I am impressed by Jean Le Cam. He is sitting in the lead pack in an older boat.
Logged

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #388 on: November 18, 2020, 08:07:56 am »
No foils, amazing....
Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

Online Giles

  • IHUK Crew
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2009
    • View Profile
Re: Our Mate Alex Thompson’s Races
« Reply #389 on: November 18, 2020, 11:09:38 am »
Logged
"OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011
Pages: 1 ... 24 25 [26] 27 28 ... 31
« previous next »