Alex Thomson, Ben Fogle and Dee Caffari will open Southampton International Boat Show this Friday morning (15 September).

Thomson (pictured left) and his two ‘crewmates’ Fogle and Caffari will sail the Open 60 Hugo Boss to the show and carry out the opening ceremony aboard the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s ship – The Lord Nelson – in the Hydropool Marina at 1100.

Visitors interested in finding out more about Open 60 sailing should head to Berth 70 where Hugo Boss will be moored for the duration of the show (15-24 September).

Commenting Thomson said: “Visitors are more than welcome to come aboard, and myself or one of the crew will give a firsthand tour of the yacht. There’ll be an opportunity to see where I eat, sleep, study the weather and communicate with the outside world. It will also be possible to sit at the helm and get a feel for what it is like to sail one of these extraordinary racing machines single-handed around the globe.”

It will also be worth heading to the Velux 5 Oceans stand (J044) in the Beach Area in Solent Park to find out more about the round the world race which starts from Bilbao on 22 October and chat to Thomson about his plans for the race. Here visitors will also have the chance to taste the freeze-dried food Thomson lives on during the many months he spends at sea.