Dean & Reddyhoff’s Haslar Marina has become a formal partner of Alex Thomson Racing after 17 years of working together.

Hampshire man Alex Thomson sets off on 6 November onboard his IMOCA 60 racing yacht Hugo Boss, to make his fourth attempt at winning the Vendée Globe single-handed, non-stop round-the-world-race. Alex’s company Five West Ltd is based at Haslar Marina, and the yacht Hugo Boss resides on Haslar’s superyacht pontoon when she isn’t at sea.

Haslar Marina will be going to sea with Alex, as the name the home port on the transom of Hugo Boss.

Alex first approached Richard Reddyhoff and Haslar Marina manager Ben Lippiett back in 1999. Alex was fresh from winning the Clipper Round the World Race (as the youngest skipper to ever do so), and had a dream to start single handed racing. 

Dean & Reddyhoff directors Richard Reddyhoff and John Dean had sailed the Atlantic doubled-handed themselves, and understood Alex’s drive and ambition. A close partnership has grown from those early years, with different incarnations of the Hugo Boss yacht moored at Haslar Marina and office space expanding to house the growing support team.

Alex has established himself as a world-class solo sailor in the fast IMOCA 60 class, and as well as his sailing, his is known for YouTube feats including the keel walk, mast walk and sky walk action stunts.

Haslar Marina manager, Ben Lippiett says “Since our first meetings with Alex Thomson back in 1999 we have been impressed by his drive and ambition, and have been delighted to see the name ‘Haslar Marina’ on the back of each Hugo Boss boat. We are frankly in awe of the challenge ahead of Alex in the Vendée Globe race, and know that he, and the fabulous team behind him, have what it takes to win. We send best wishes not only from the marina staff, but also from our 500 berth holders, of whom Alex is one.”

The 2016-17 Vendée Globe race will be Alex’s fourth, and the latest Hugo Boss represents his best opportunity to win this brutal race. Starting from western France on 6 November, the Vendee Globe route goes around the world via the three great Capes; Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn, before finishing back in France in spring 2017. Since the first race in 1989, only 71 sailors have reached the finish line. Alex Thomson is the sole British entry in a field of 29, and was previously placed third in 2012-13, finishing in 80 days.

More information

Sarah Brooke (Alex Thomson Racing) sarah@alexthomsonracing.com  02392 524 343Rachel Hibberd (Dean & Reddyhoff Group Marketing Manager) rachelh@deanreddyhoff.co.ukBen Lippiett (Haslar Marina Manager) benl@deanreddyhoff.co.uk 02392 601 201

Notes

·         Haslar Marina provides over 600 berths for boats from 6m to 50m in Portsmouth Harbour www.haslarmarina.co.uk

·         Dean & Reddyhoff own and operate Haslar Marina, East Cowes Marina, Portland Marina and Weymouth Marina www.deanreddyhoff.co.uk

·         Alex Thomson Racing www.alexthomsonracing.com

·         Five Degrees West http://5west.co.uk/

·         Vendée Globe race www.vendeeglobe.org/en