Hugo Boss was holed on her starboard side and dismasted in a collision with a fishing vessel outside Les Sables d’Olonne at 0230 this morning.

Skipper Alex Thomson and two crew were onboard as the vessel were waiting outside the harbour for daylight to transfer crew when the collision took place. She had just completed a delivery from her home port of Gosport for the start of the solo, non-stop round the world race, the Vendee Globe.

Hugo Boss was stationary with only her mainsail up when the fishing vessel struck. Hugo Boss was visible with navigation lights, trim lights and a strobe light on. Her radar and AIS systems were also activated and working.

The fishing vessel, registered in France, struck the boat forward of the cap shroud on the starboard side, severely holing her and bringing the mast down. Mast and sails were cut away from the boat before they motored into les Sables d’Olonne to have the damage assessed. Also onboard at the time of the incident with Alex was boat captain Ross Daniel and rigger Giles Waterhouse. No-one onboard was injured.

“I’m devastated, but I’m glad everyone is OK,” said Thomson. The damage is currently being assessed and Thomson will hold a press conference later today.