Alex Thomson is a professional skipper who is a major talent in international yachting.

Alex first came to prominence at the age of 25 when he became the youngest skipper ever to win a round-the-world yacht race when he won the 1998-1999 Clipper Race. Following that early success, in 2000 he won the Round Britain & Ireland Race on an Open 50 "Sail that Dream" in a record time of 10 days which still stands.

In 2003, Alex was sailing captain on "HUGO BOSS" Farr 65 for the Rolex Fastnet Race and came 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Roland Jourdain on the Open 60 "Sill".

At the end of 2003, Alex came a close third in the Defi Atlantique solo transatlantic race on Open 60 "AT Racing". However, during the race, he set a new 24 hour world speed sailing record for solo mono-hulls, covering 468 nautical miles at an average boat speed of 19.5 knots.

In 2005 Alex became the first skipper to sign up for the 3 in 3 – 3 round the world races in 3 years starting with the Velux 5 Oceans in 2006, followed by the Barcelona World Race (BWR) in November 2007, and culminating in the 2008 Vendee Globe

Having been forced to retire from the Velux 5 Oceans due to severe structural problems, Alex has become even more determined than ever to achieve his goal to be the first Briton to win the much coveted Vendee Globe, and is surrounding himself with a world class team to help him realise his dream.

Testimonials

Richard Simmons: "Alex Thomson seems the punchiest"

Times: "Daredevil Thomson... living up to his swashbuckling image"

Mike Golding: "Alex is a dark horse, but he is lucky and a fast learner. There's no need to panic if he hares off because that's his style"

"He's driven the boat like a complete blinder and when he's got a bit more experience he'llprobably go a bit slower"

Yachting World: "Alex Thomson is widely recognised as one of the most exciting and successful talents on the international yachting scene"

Roland Jourdain: "Everyone here fears Alex's speed..."

"Alex is a dangerous talent!"

Davina McCall: "Anyone that knows Alex knows that he is very focussed and ambitious...he's like a terrier - he just won't let go"

Ellen MacArthur: "He knows how to push very hard, he's incredibily driven. His aim is to win. If Alex can keep the boat in one piece all the way around the world he'll do very well..."

David Coulthard: "Alex could certainly deliver in Forumla 1 in terms of bravery..."

Yachting World: "PLUCKY"

"Thomson is possibly one of the most down to earth sailors in the fleet. He's young, cool, witty, gutsy and seems to have that something special that will never fail to attract the media"

Speaking Advantage

Alex is an excellent speaker appealing to a young audience. He offers something that other speakers don't; he spends a large part of the year on-board his yacht competing. We can provide a live satellite link via big screen from 'Hugo Boss' to Alex where he can transmit live bespoke commentary, speaking and Q&A from inside a racing yacht.