Briton third in round-world race

British yachtsman Alex Thomson has finished third in the Vendée Globe non-stop round-the-world sailing race – and would have beaten the unofficial “80 days” target had he not changed course to help a damaged rival.

The skipper of single-hulled Hugo Boss is the third Briton to stand on the podium, following Ellen MacArthur, second in 2001, and Mike Golding, third in 2005.

His time of 80 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes saw him cross the finish line at Sables-d'Olonne at 8.25 yesterday. He followed race winner François Gabart and runner-up Armel Le Cléac’h and all three beat the previous race record of 84 days, 3 hours and 9 minutes set by Michel Desjoyeaux in 2009.

Thomson, 38, from Gosport, Hampshire, said after the race: "The most important thing for me in this Vendée Globe was to finish the race. Standing on the podium is amazing, though, and really, the race time is irrelevant."

It was his third bid in the race – and the first time he has finished. He became the fastest Briton to sail the world in a monohull.

He had lost valuable time when he went to help third-place rival, Jean-Pierre Dick, who had lost his keel in mid-Atlantic. He changed course to be near Dick’s Virbac Paprec 3 as they sailed through a storm that threatened to capsize the Frenchman’s boat.

Last night Dick decided to continue his effort to reach the finishing line despite his boat handling like a dinghy and he moved nearer to the Spanish coast to avoid heavy winds in the Bay of Biscay.

Thomson knows how Dick feels as he had to be rescued in 2006 when his yacht lost its keel in the Velux Five Oceans Race. Mike Golding saved him as his boat started to sink.

Golding, who is holding sixth position in this year’s race, has reported problems with his own keel but is continuing to race. He is chasing to land fifth place.
Photo: Mark Lloyd - DPPI - Vendee Globe