Alex Thomson begins his stunt by chasing his speeding IMOCA Open 60 yacht on a kiteboard, while dressed in a sharp suit and tie.
Alex Thomson begins his stunt by chasing his speeding IMOCA Open 60 yacht on a kiteboard, while dressed in a sharp suit and tie.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images
Using the boat's speed to propel himself, the British around-the-world sailor soars 280 feet into the air above the yacht.
Using the boat's speed to propel himself, the British around-the-world sailor soars 280 feet into the air above the yacht.
Alex Thomas Racing / Lloyd Images
This time-lapse image shows four stages of the yachtsman's ascent, reaching twice the height of his boat's mast -- the equivalent of a 25-story building.
This time-lapse image shows four stages of the yachtsman's ascent, reaching twice the height of his boat's mast -- the equivalent of a 25-story building.
Alex Thomas Racing / Lloyd Images
"He's flying, he's flying!" one of Thomson's team members can be heard shrieking in the video footage as the skipper soars 280 feet above the water.
"He's flying, he's flying!" one of Thomson's team members can be heard shrieking in the video footage as the skipper soars 280 feet above the water.
Alex Thomas Racing / Lloyd Images
At peak height, Thomson detaches the rope from his harness, freeing him to kitesurf...
At peak height, Thomson detaches the rope from his harness, freeing him to kitesurf...
Alex Thomas Racing / Lloyd Images
... expertly down to a perfect landing on the water.
... expertly down to a perfect landing on the water.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images
A total of 35 people were involved in the planning, co-ordination and execution of the stunt, Thomson's most ambitious yet.
A total of 35 people were involved in the planning, co-ordination and execution of the stunt, Thomson's most ambitious yet.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images
"I've always had a love for all things wind-powered so naturally a stunt which involved kite surfing was the next step," said the 41-year-old, who performed a keelwalk in 2012 and a mastwalk in 2014.
"I've always had a love for all things wind-powered so naturally a stunt which involved kite surfing was the next step," said the 41-year-old, who performed a keelwalk in 2012 and a mastwalk in 2014.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images
For the mastwalk, the fearless around-the-world sailor scaled and dived off his boat's 98-foot (30-meter) mast.
For the mastwalk, the fearless around-the-world sailor scaled and dived off his boat's 98-foot (30-meter) mast.
Mark Lloyd/Alex Thomson Racing
For the first stunt, Thomson strolled along the keel of his speeding race yacht.
For the first stunt, Thomson strolled along the keel of his speeding race yacht.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images
This latest effort took place at Alvor in Portugal, a kitesurfing hotspot.
This latest effort took place at Alvor in Portugal, a kitesurfing hotspot.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images
Thomson has set his sights on winning the non-stop solo around-the-world race, the Vendee Globe, which starts in November.
Thomson has set his sights on winning the non-stop solo around-the-world race, the Vendee Globe, which starts in November.
Alex Thomson Racing / Lloyd images