Gosport sailor Alex Thomson sets off for France ahead of Vendée Globe race start

Departing on his 60ft IMOCA racing yacht, HUGO BOSS, he left dock yesterday afternoon and headed for Les Sables-d’Olonne - the French seaside town where the event begins on Sunday, November 8.

Thomson is one of the favourites to land the Vendée Globe crown with a field of 33 skippers the largest number that has ever competed.

The race, which is staged ever four years, is regarded as one of the toughest sporting challenges and pushes sailors to their limits both physically and mentally.

Thomson has finished second in the past two events but this time he is looking to go one better and achieve a lifetime ambition.

He said: ‘This is 20 years of my life so, yes, this is what we’ve all been waiting for and what we’ve all been working towards.

‘I’ll sail HUGO BOSS to Les Sables D’Olonne with a small crew and the rest of our team will meet us there.

‘The boat is pretty much race-ready when she leaves, with only minor work to be done when we get to France to prepare her for the race in three weeks’ time.

‘It’s always a good feeling to be on our way to the village and be very close to the start line.

‘Obviously, the goal is to go out there and win it. But to get there, you have to finish and this race is very, very tough to finish.

‘But, if we can get to that finish line, then I’m sure we’ll be in contention for the win.

‘A win would certainly validate everything that we as a team, together with our partners, have put into this journey.’

You can follow Thomson's progress live via this link www.alexthomsonracing.com/the-hub when the race starts on November 8.