Alex Thomson is one of the world's best sailors and remains unfazed by the dangers of the sea despite some close scrapes.
Dicing with danger —
Alex Thomson is one of the world's best sailors and remains unfazed by the dangers of the sea despite some close scrapes.
Mark Lloyd
Thomson knows the risks associated with his chose profession and uses a sports psychologist to help him tackle the fears of solo sailing in the Southern Ocean where he nearly lost his life.
It's all in the mind —
Thomson knows the risks associated with his chose profession and uses a sports psychologist to help him tackle the fears of solo sailing in the Southern Ocean where he nearly lost his life.
Mark Lloyd
A self-confessed showman, Thomson earned global notoriety via two YouTube stunts on his boat called the mast walk and the keel walk.
Sailing stuntman —
A self-confessed showman, Thomson earned global notoriety via two YouTube stunts on his boat called the mast walk and the keel walk.
Mark Lloyd
In the mast stunt, Thomson hurtles up to the top of the mast aware that the boat can keel at any moment and fling him either onto the deck or the water below.
Danger below —
In the mast stunt, Thomson hurtles up to the top of the mast aware that the boat can keel at any moment and fling him either onto the deck or the water below.
Mark Lloyd/Alex Thomson Racing
Thomson ducks down to evade the ropes and wiring attached to the mast and sail
High wire act —
Thomson ducks down to evade the ropes and wiring attached to the mast and sail
Mark Lloyd/Alex Thomson Racing
Thomson launches himself off the mast and into the water below.
Splash! —
Thomson launches himself off the mast and into the water below.
Mark Lloyd/Alex Thomson Racing
The climb took Thomson just 16 seconds.
Quick work —
The climb took Thomson just 16 seconds.
Mark Lloyd/Alex Thomson Racing
Thomson scrubs up well in his designer suit.
On board with Alex Thomson —
Thomson scrubs up well in his designer suit.
Mark Lloyd/Alex Thomson Racing
Thomson plans to use a new Hugo Boss vessel for the 2016 Vendee Globe.
New boat —
Thomson plans to use a new Hugo Boss vessel for the 2016 Vendee Globe.
Mark Lloyd
The last time he tackled the Vendee Globe, he finished third but he wants to be the first Briton to win the prestigious race.
Chasing Vendee victory —
The last time he tackled the Vendee Globe, he finished third but he wants to be the first Briton to win the prestigious race.
JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images
Thomson said he was made to feel like David Beckham at the start of the Vendee Globe's last running with huge crowds turning out.
Sailing's answer to David Beckham? —
Thomson said he was made to feel like David Beckham at the start of the Vendee Globe's last running with huge crowds turning out.
JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images
Before his next Vendee, he will tackle the Barcelona World Race with fellow sailor Pepe Ribas sharing his boat.
Sailing parnter —
Before his next Vendee, he will tackle the Barcelona World Race with fellow sailor Pepe Ribas sharing his boat.
Mark Lloyd