Introduction

People's Boat & the Global Ocean Race. What is it all about?

The Global Solo Race 2013-2014 is a single handed round the world yacht race for 40' yachts.
It starts in northern Europe in November 2013 and races around the world
in 3 legs, stopping in Cape Town and Punta del Este. 1 boat, 1 crew, 6 months and 30,000 miles.

  • A unique opportunity for your business to raise its profile, both internally and externally,
    to existing and new clients. Along with the opportunity to entertain clients on a round the world
    race yacht,with your branding on the side for the three years of the campaign
    – all for relatively little cost

How can you get involved?

Standard sponsor £25: Bronze sponsor £500:
  • This is the entry level of sponsorship.
    Single 5cm x 5cm 'pixels' can be
    bought onto which individuals
    and companies can upload
    a picture or logo, with a web link.
    Then a full size version is displayed on the race yacht

For sponsors investing £500+ they will receive:

  • Relevant number of 'pixels' on the boat.
    This can be either a single large logo
    or several smaller logo's
  • A day out sailing on the race boat,
    shared with other Bronze sponsors
  • Extra listing on the website
Silver Sponsor £2,500: Gold Sponsor:

For sponsors investing £2,500+ they will receive:

  • Relevant number of 'pixels' on the boat.
    This can be either a single large logo or
    several smaller logo's
  • Exclusive use of the race boat for
    a day for either reward or client entertaining
  • Embroidered polo shirt
  • Extra listing on the website
  • Gold level title sponsorship is being
    sought – contact us for more information.

Connect People's Boat Campain in Facebook people's boat facebook campaign

Latest News

19 April 2011 -

Alex has announced a change of plans to his Round the World race schedule.

Instead of the two handed Global Ocean Race 2011-12, Alex has now decided to aim for the Global Solo Race in 2013-14.

'This new race is much more of a challenge, especially being single handed. Trying to find a major sponsor in the middle of the biggest recession was always going to be difficult. Time was ticking away and it got to the point that we wouldn't be able to get a new boat built and up to speed in time for the 2011 race. It was a difficult decision to make but we believe the right one. There is already a lot of interest from several companies about title sponsorship - we will just keep plugging away. Giving up is just not an option.' Alex

13th July 2010 –
Wight Vodka Teams with Alex Alley in the Global Ocean Race Campaign

Cowes, England

Competing in the Global Ocean Race takes determination, intellect, ego and attitude. It also takes money!

Alex Alley and David Thomson are the co-skippers of their Class 40 yacht, which they will race around the world in the Global Ocean Race from September 2011. Over the next 14 months, they will be preparing themselves and their yacht for the rigors of the 30,000 mile circumnavigation. Both Alex and David have many regattas, trans-atlantics and circumnavigations under their belts, and this time they're determined to share the experience with as many individual and corporate sponsors as they can.

"It's great to have the Wight Vodka brand onboard our Global Ocean Race campaign!" said Alex Alley, skipper of the Class 40 yacht. "Wight Vodka's gained such an incredible following within the British yachting scene in a very short time, and to have their support is totally welcomed. We've agreed with Ritu and her team at 50° North that the next five sponsors who contribute £150 or more to our campaign will receive a bottle of Wight in return. How great is that!?"

Scheduled to start in September 2011, the Global Ocean Race will follow the same route raced by the yachts competing in the 2008-09 event. Starting in France, the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa, Wellington, New Zealand, Punta del Este, Uruguay and Charleston, USA before finishing back in France, a total of over 30,000 nautical miles.

"Working with Alex and David on this project is exhilarating," said Ritu Manocha, brand owner of Wight Vodka. "Their enthusiasm and competitive spirit go hand-in-hand with the Wight Vodka brand, and we can't wait to see them cross the start (and finish!) line in the race. We encourage our Wight Vodka fans to support their efforts, and follow them online from September 2011."

About Alex Alley & David Thomson's Campaign
A unique opportunity for you and your business to raise its profile, the People's Boat campaign is created to allow our sponsors to track our progress as we circumnavigate the globe from 2011 to 2012. Your branding will be on our hull for the three years of the campaign, and you will be entered into regular draws to win a chance of sailing with us. And now in collaboration with Wight Vodka, for the first five who provide sponsorship of £150 or more, you will receive a bottle of Wight Vodka in return. For more information please visit www.peoplesboat.com.

About 50° North
50° North are the creators of Wight Vodka. The company's spirit and enthusiasm for the ocean, coupled with the centuries-old regatta traditions of the Isle of Wight (and of course a full appreciation of superior vodka!) culminated in the creation of the world's smoothest, 42% ABV potato-based vodka. One sip of Wight Vodka will make a believer out of the most discerning connoisseur, and the company welcomes your joining a unique and elite class. www.wightvodka.com. Tack & Gybe Responsibly.


23 September 2009

The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 can now announce a sixth double-handed entry with Alex signing-up for the race.

For Alex, the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 is a good fit for a competitive and financially achievable race around the world. "Ten years ago, I would have tried to get into IMOCA Open 60s," he comments. "But now, this is the race I really want to win. I love offshore racing, the adrenaline and the weather you get offshore you just don't get that sort of sailing inshore," adds Alex. "Round-the-cans racing is a very different thing with a very different skill set involved. I just get a bit bored with it sometimes: a quick blast round the cans for two or three hours, then you come back and have a shower and a pint and I always want to keep going. That's what I like. I just want to get out there!"

While Alex is currently in strong negotiations with a sponsor for his campaign he has plans to purchase a Class 40 early next year. Alex is also looking for a co-skipper. "I'm looking for someone who is a carbon copy of me," he explains. "I want another one of me on the boat. To drive the boat hard when it needs pushing and know the right time to back off the pace."

Josh Hall, Race Director, Global Ocean Race 2011-12 says "Our latest race entry is a very exciting project. Alex has the drive, talent and tenacity to excel in the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 and his funding programme is an example of just how resourceful he is - a key trait for racing a sailboat around the world. We welcome Alex to our expanding list of confirmed entries and look forward to hearing which co-skipper he finds that can keep up with him!"

>View full printed news article in pdf format

29 July 2009
Horta - Les Sables Race Report


12 July 2009
On Sunday 12th July Alex flies out to Horta in the Azores to join Nicko Brennan on the Class 40 'PALANAD II' for the return leg of the 'Les Sables – Horta' race to France. The 1300 mile leg is expected to take around 7 days and should see some exciting downwind sailing. The race restarts mid afternoon on Wednesday 15th July. Use the race tracker to follow Alex and Nicko, but beware, with updates at 0600, 1200 and 1800 GMT it can be very addictive. For more information on the race see www.lessables-horta.com

Standard sponsor £25: Bronze sponsor £500:
  • This is the entry level of sponsorship.
    Single 5cm x 5cm 'pixels' can be
    bought onto which individuals
    and companies can upload
    a picture or logo, with a web link.
    Then a full size version is displayed on the race yacht

For sponsors investing £500+ they will receive:

  • Relevant number of 'pixels' on the boat.
    This can be either a single large logo
    or several smaller logo's
  • A day out sailing on the race boat,
    shared with other Bronze sponsors
  • Printed t shirt
  • Extra listing on the website
Silver Sponsor £2,500: Gold Sponsor:

For sponsors investing £2,500+ they will receive:

  • Relevant number of 'pixels' on the boat.
    This can be either a single large logo or
    several smaller logo's
  • Exclusive use of the race boat for
    a day for either reward or client entertaining
  • Embroidered polo shirt
  • Extra listing on the website
  • Gold level title sponsorship
    is being sought – contact us for more information
    .
  • Gold level title sponsorship is being
    sought – contact us for more information.