Kojiro Shiraishi fixed to join Vendee Globe 2020 Announced on 30th Oct.2018

On 30th Oct. 2018, The Ocean Explorer "Koojiro Shiraishi" officially announced that his plan has been fixed to join the Vendee Globe 2020-2021. New Sponsor "DMG MORI" President Masahiko Mori and Kojiro Shiraishi announced the New Team "DMG MORI Sailing Team and introduced Managing Director Tony O'Connor and Kojiro's offshore team members.

The VO65 Class will return for the next Volvo Ocean Race as the host city selection process begins

The 2021-22 edition of the world’s premiere fully-crewed around the world race will feature two classes of boats, the IMOCA 60 and the VO65 class.

Crédit : J Lecauday

Alex Thomson Racing appoints world renowned British Boat Builder, boat launch targeted for June 2019

British sailing team, Alex Thomson Racing, has announced that it will build a brand new IMOCA 60 race boat in the south of England.

Credit : Alex Thomson Racing 

The boat, HUGO BOSS, will be constructed by Carrington Boats. Jason Carrington is one of the most accomplished and highly regarded specialists in the industry.

Alex Thomson Racing has announced plans to design and build a new IMOCA for the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe

British sailing team, Alex Thomson Racing, has announced plans to design and build a brand new 60ft IMOCA race boat for the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe.

Crédit : C Barnham

Video / Amazing footage Hugo Boss hitting a staggering 33.2 knots

Some epic footage Hugo Boss! Filmed off the coast of Portugal and hitting a staggering 33.2 knots in rough seas, HUGO BOSS was really sending it!

Jacques Vabre / Imoca podium decided

After seasoned campaigners, Jean-Pierre Dick and Yann Eliès arrived in Salvador de Bahia yesterday evening (Saturday) to win the 13th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre in record time – and with Dick claiming an unprecedented fourth title – the podium places were completed today (Sunday) by the next generation duos on SMA and Des Voiles et Vous!

Crédit : JM Liot

Sharp start to Transat Jacques Vabre, Sam Davies shows international camaraderie of the fleet

A pumped up Phil Sharp and Pablo Santurde (Imerys Clean Energy) – the Anglo-Spanish pair – were first across the line in the Class40 as the 13th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2017 started at 13:35 (French time) from its home in Le Havre, in Normandy, France today (Sunday). Beautiful light but lively weather greeted the fleet of 37 boats and 74 crew.

Crédit : JM Liot

Vendée Globe / Dismast of Foresight Natural Energy

At 2300 French time this Friday the 10th February, Conrad Colman called his team to inform them that Imoca Foresight Natural Energy dismasted. The skipper is unharmed, and was calm during the call. He freed the rigging (mast and mainsail) and he managed to save the boom.

Crédit : C Colman - More pics here

Alex Thomson returns to his home base in PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR Saturday 11th February

Alex Thomson will be returning home to Gosport on board his racing yacht HUGO BOSS on Saturday 11th February. A parade of sail and celebratory event will be held in Alex’s hometown of Gosport this weekend to celebrate the solo skipper’s incredible race and podium finish in the prestigious Vendee Globe, a solo, non-stop, race around the world . The Parade of Sail will commence in the Solent close to Spitbank Fort at 10:15. Alex will then sail into Portsmouth Harbour before berthing HUGO BOSS at the Gosport Ferry terminal.

Crédit : JM Liot - DPPI - VG

One tack holds key to Vendée Globe glory

With less than 40 miles separating Vendée Globe leader Armel Le Cléac'h from secondplaced Alex Thomson this morning and under 400 nautical miles left to the finish line, victory in the solo round the world race now comes down to one crucial last manoeuvre.

Crédit : Marine Nationale

Vendée Globe / Kojiro Shiraishi on Spirit of Yukoh forced to retire

At 0240 UTC on Sunday December 4th, Kojiro Shiraishi, Skipper of Spirit of Yukoh contacted his shore team to tell them that he had dismasted. The boat Spirit of Yukoh was sailing in a moderate breeze (20 knots). Kojiro inside of the boat heard the sound of the mast breaking at around 0230 UTC.

Crédit : Kojiro Shiraishi

Vendée Globe / New twist as Thomson takes back top spot

British sailor Alex Thomson is once again at the front of the Vendée Globe fleet after successfully hunting down arch rival Armel Le Cléac'h in the Southern Ocean. Four days after French sailor Le Cléac'h moved into pole position in the solo non-stop round the world race, Thomson reclaimed control once more as the epic duel between the two skippers continued. The pair were this afternoon neck and neck as they rocketed east, less than a mile splitting them from the next waypoint and with just seven miles of lateral separation.

Crédit : JM Liot / DPPI / VG

Vendee Globe / Advantage Alex Thomson.

In the 1100hrs UTC rankings, advantage Alex Thomson. In just four hours, the skipper of Hugo Boss has doubled his lead over his nearest rivals.

Crédit : A Thomson / Hugo Boss / Vendée Globe

Vendée Globe / Thomson takes the lead, three races within the racemonday

The eighth Vendée Globe has only just begun and for the frontrunners, the Bay of Biscay will soon be in their wake. The fleet has split into three distinct groups spread over 120 miles, while the leaders have only sailed 300. Britain’s Alex Thomson has taken the lead.

© C BARNHAM / HUGO BOSS

Vendée Globe 2016 / The day before

The month long spell of unseasonable benevolent, summer-like weather is set to hold through Sunday, giving the 29 solo skippers who will start the Vendée Globe solo non stop race around the world the most favourable starting conditions for many years.

Crédit : V Curutchet

IMOCA / Who might win the Vendée Globe 2016 ?

As the clock counts down ever closer to Sunday’s start of the eighth edition of the Vendée Globe, the solo non stop around the world race, the question which still prevails among the inevitable massive media frenzy gathered in Les Sables d’Olonne on the French west coast is Who Will Win the Vendée Globe?

Credit : JM Liot

The Transat / A warm reception for The Transat bakerly skippers in Plymouth

The public was out in force today as Plymouth locals and visitors soaked up the sun and entertainment programme laid on as part of The Transat bakerly festivities.

Crédit : M Lloyd

New entrants boost growing field for the 2016 edition of The Transat

With the closing date for entries to the 2016 edition of The Transat fast approaching, three new skippers have added their names to the starting roster.

In the competitive Class40 fleet, French skipper Vincent Lantin will take part on board ‘Le slip français’, while fellow Frenchman Erik Nigon on ‘Vers un monde sans sida’ will join the now five-strong Multi50 fleet.

Transat Jacques Vabre / Riou Double Le Roux Treble

Celebratory magnums of Moet champagne and potent local Caiprinhas were in evidence on the winners’ dock as Itajaí welcomed, in short order, the winners of the Multi 50 Class and the white hot IMOCA monohull class, but the key, respective skippers were also toasted for their own personal triple and double triumphs on the biennial Transat Jacques Vabre race, which retraces the coffee route from Le Havre to Brazil.

Credit : JM Liot

IMOCA / "We are delighted to have Hugo Boss back on the dock"

British sailor Alex Thomson and his co-skipper Guillermo Altadill are looking towards the 2016 Vendee Globe after an extraordinary sequence of events ended their participation in the Transat Jacques Vabre this weekend. 

Credit : Alex Thomson Racing