While the total number of confirmed entries for the Global Ocean Race now stands at nine Class 40s, British yachtsman Alex Alley (the sixth competitor to sign up for the race) has formally announced his co-skipper as Gosport based, offshore sailor, David Thomson (brother of Alex).

Thomson competed in the Portimão Global Ocean Race 2008-09, coming third in the double-handed class with Jeremy Salvesen on the Akilaria Class 40 Team Mowgli. Alley explained: “the reason I chose David was due to his immense Class 40 experience. He’s also like me and he’s in it to get a result and do very well. We’re not planning to cruise around.”



”The Portimão Ocean Race was challenging, but fun and exhilarating,” continued Thomson, who is currently based in the USA working with David de Rothschild’s conservation campaign on board the recycled plastic catamaran Plastiki. “I am looking forward to repeating this experience in the Global Ocean Race and working in a competitive team,” he added. “Alex has proven successful as an offshore sailor and enjoys the adventure that racing a Class 40 brings as much as I do.”

For more, visit portimaorace.com