ETA 1700hrs Thursday
Ocean racer Alex Thomson could become the next British sporstman to
enjoy historic success this summer as he blasts towards the UK South
Coast at the end of what is likely to be the fastest ever west-to-east
solo transat.
Alex set off nine days ago, on Tuesday 17 July, from
New York in his IMOCA 60 HUGO BOSS yacht, which he will race in this
year’s Vendee Globe.
He aimed to be back for the Olympic opening ceremony – and barring leaves on the line will surely make it to London on time.
The
current record for what is officially known as the ‘West to East
Ambrose Lighthouse to Lizard Point Under 60ft Single-Handed Monohull
Record, Male’ stands at 10 days, 55 minutes and 19 seconds, set by Swiss
sailor Bernhard Stamm 10 years ago.
Alex could take a day off Stamm’s time with a possible ETA of 1700hrs on Thursday 26 July.
Weather
predictions when he set off were not perfect for a record attempt, but
were enough to convince Alex to cross the start line of the 2,800
nautical mile course.
On Thursday morning Alex had just 110nm to
go and reported on from board: ‘ETA could be as early as 1700BST today.
The light wind patch I’ve just passed through proved to be smaller than
forecast and now the wind is more in the north, so I am currently tight
reaching.
‘Wind could easily go back to the NE but I can see the
live data at the Scilly Isles which are only 6 hours away and I am
hopeful the breeze will just increase.
‘Lots of shipping and fishing boats around to keep me worried and awake.
‘It
would be really nice if I could finish before 1909 GMT and bring the
record into the single digits! That’s what I am pushing for now.’
He
added: ‘I saw my first sunrise this morning for many days, in fact the
first sun for many days and I am looking forward to the finish.’
http://www.alexthomsonracing.com/2012/07/keep-track-with-alexs-record-attempt/