Feb
24
0

Thomson misses Barcelona World Race

Author Ian K    Category Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, ash, sailingbreaks, Tribe Sailing Blogs     Tags , , , ,

British sailor Alex Thomson has been forced to miss the start of the two-handed Barcelona World Race – a popular yacht racing event amongst yachting enthusiasts.

Thomson, 36, from Gosport in Hampshire, underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix just 48 hours before the start of the non-stop around-the-world race.

Race organisers accepted an 11th-hour request from the Thomson’s Hugo Boss sailing team to allow a temporary substitute to replace the skipper.

Dutchman Wouter Verbraak has taken the helm of the 60ft yacht Hugo Boss yacht, with New Zealander Andy Meiklejohn as his co-skipper, until Thomson is fit enough to rejoin the team in about two weeks’ time.

Photo from Flickr user: Estrella Damm Fotos

At 12pm (GMT) on December 31, the 14 yachts taking part in the 25,000-mile race were seen off from the starting line by a flotilla of small boats.

About 200 vessels were gathered around the exclusion zone, with up to another 400 along the Olympic waterfront.

A race spokesman said: “A large spectator fleet has gathered in the race area, including a large two-masted schooner, while on shore the beaches are lined with families and visitors.

“Temporary replacement skipper Wouter Verbraak looked relaxed as he boarded the IMOCA 60, although the sudden departure from his family clearly added to the emotions of the day.”

No provision existed within the current regulations for a replacement skipper to begin the race so close to the start.

But with the backing of other skippers, race organisers will issue an amendment to the rules that will see Thomson eventually join the rest of the fleet, it was decided.

About the author

Ian Kinnear wrote 22 articles on this blog.

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