There can be little doubt that Alex Thomson has had the most dramatic preperation for the Vendee Globe race of any of the competitors. The well publicised collision with a French trawler left Hugo Boss extensively damaged and only an incredible display of effort and organisation was able to see her repaired and back in the water. It didn’t stop there however. Sea trials yesterday resulted in severe main halyard wear as a result of corrosion on the halyard sheave following the masts time underwater. In an amazing display of manpower and ingenuity, this was solved by repeatedly hoisting halyards in hard jackets to polish the sheave. This was done last night a grand total of 1800 times (!) via a hastily organised shift system and the team are now happy with the ability of the main halyard to withstand the 26,000 miles around the world. Assuming Thomson makes the start line on Sunday, it will be testimony to the most extraordinary effort, not just by his team, but also by the Alliaura Marine boatyard in Sables d’Olonne, suppliers and an army of volunteers.
