Alex Thomson steps down from racing

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Alex Thomson has announced that he won’t be competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe, but doesn’t rule out returning to the round the world yacht race in 2028

Alex Thomson has announced that he won’t be competing in the 2024 Vendee Globe.

Instead, HUGO BOSS will be raced with a different skipper, yet to be announced.

But, Alex Thomson hasn’t ruled out returning to the race in 2028.

The British skipper has competed in the IMOCA circuit for 19 years including five successive Vendée Globe’s; he finished second in the 2016-17 race.

He said it was now time to focus on his family.



‘I have had the privilege to compete and race IMOCA 60s for almost 20 years. I love the sport but it’s now time for me to spend more time on land, with my young family. My wife Kate has single-handedly raised our children for the last 10 years whilst I have pursued my dream. Now I want to support Kate and allow her the same opportunity that she has given me,’ he said.

‘This doesn’t mean that I am retiring, just changing my role, from spending most of my time at sea, to spending more of it on land,’ he stressed.

Alex Thomson said he would continue to promote sailing and has ‘always believed that it is my role to be an ambassador for our sport, telling the story to an international audience.’

‘In the last 20 years we have sailed to every corner of the globe, from Russia to Mexico, Canada, Australia, and Taiwan and even up the River Yangtze to Shanghai, China! There is a huge global fanbase who follow and love the Vendée Globe. I want to continue to promote the sport, tell the story and share my knowledge and experience, but with a focus on the next generation,’ he said.

Alex Thomson and his team 5 West Ltd will remain together.

‘The goal has always been to win the Vendée Globe, which to me remains the toughest sporting challenge left in the world today, and we haven’t accomplished that yet. This is the start of a new chapter, with a new skipper, and we will provide him or her with all the tools, knowledge, experience and environment to win,’ added Thomson

In the 20 years since Thomson first appeared on the IMOCA 60 scene, the sport of offshore sailing has changed considerably.

Katy Stickland