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24/11/2006
Sailor rescued from southern ocean
British sailor Alex Thomson has been rescued from the southern ocean after he was forced to abandon his capsized yacht.
Thompson, 32, who was taking part in the Velux 5 Oceans race had to take to a life raft after the keel on his 50ft yacht Hugo Boss was severely damaged in the incident.
He said: "It is really good to be on board Ecover. It was very sad to leave Hugo Boss, but I am very relieved to have finally stepped on board the boat."
The abandoned yacht will be left to sink and leaving the boat was one of the most difficult moments for Thomson. "It is easier now I can't see the boat. It was really hard on the boat knowing I was going to leave her. That was really tough. It was very mixed emotions - one minute laughing and joking and the next minute floods of tears. Obviously I find it quite difficult talking about it. It is only a boat - but she has served me well for three years. It is a real shame what has happened, but that is the way it goes."
Thompson was asleep when the yacht capsized and he described how he woke up to find the boat lying on its side and crippled due to damage to the keel mechanism which is vital to right the boat.
Fellow competitor Mike Golding in Ecover was the nearest boat to the stricken Hugo Boss. He sailed back along his track to rendezvous with Alex Thomson.
Thomson thanked his fellow competitor who had to make four attempts to manoeuvre close enough to effect a rescue: "It is very courageous of Mike to turn around in the conditions that he did and he carried out an exemplary rescue in very, very difficult conditions and I am very grateful for him coming back to get me. It is also great for the class as it shows self-sufficiency. Overall it has been a very tough experience but with Mike's support and all the support of my shore team and my family and friends, it has been made bearable."
(SP/KMcA)
Thompson, 32, who was taking part in the Velux 5 Oceans race had to take to a life raft after the keel on his 50ft yacht Hugo Boss was severely damaged in the incident.
He said: "It is really good to be on board Ecover. It was very sad to leave Hugo Boss, but I am very relieved to have finally stepped on board the boat."
The abandoned yacht will be left to sink and leaving the boat was one of the most difficult moments for Thomson. "It is easier now I can't see the boat. It was really hard on the boat knowing I was going to leave her. That was really tough. It was very mixed emotions - one minute laughing and joking and the next minute floods of tears. Obviously I find it quite difficult talking about it. It is only a boat - but she has served me well for three years. It is a real shame what has happened, but that is the way it goes."
Thompson was asleep when the yacht capsized and he described how he woke up to find the boat lying on its side and crippled due to damage to the keel mechanism which is vital to right the boat.
Fellow competitor Mike Golding in Ecover was the nearest boat to the stricken Hugo Boss. He sailed back along his track to rendezvous with Alex Thomson.
Thomson thanked his fellow competitor who had to make four attempts to manoeuvre close enough to effect a rescue: "It is very courageous of Mike to turn around in the conditions that he did and he carried out an exemplary rescue in very, very difficult conditions and I am very grateful for him coming back to get me. It is also great for the class as it shows self-sufficiency. Overall it has been a very tough experience but with Mike's support and all the support of my shore team and my family and friends, it has been made bearable."
(SP/KMcA)
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