Introduction

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

The Global Ocean Race 2011-2012 is a round the world yacht race for 40’ race yachts.
It starts in northern Europe in September 2011 and races around the world
in 5 legs. 1 boat, 2 crew, 8 months and 30,000 miles.

• At the end of the race the boat will be sold and a donation of between £150,000 and £200,000
  will be made to charity

• 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?

Latest News

14 January 2010

* David Thompson

British yachtsman, Alex Alley, was the sixth entry to sign-up for the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 and while the total number of confirmed entries now stands at nine Class40s,Alex is the second team to formally announce a co-skipper for the circumnavigation. Earlier this week, he verified that Gosport based, offshore sailor, David Thomson, will be co-skipper in The People’s Boat campaign (http://www.peoplesboat.com/).

Thomson competed in the Portimão Global Ocean Race 2008-09 taking third place in the double-handed class with Jeremy Salvesen, an adventurer and entrepreneur, on the Akilaria Class40, Team Mowgli. “David has just got back to me and said ‘Let’s do it’,” explained Alex on Tuesday. There were two potential co-skippers, but the choice of Thomson was fairly straightforward. “The reason I chose David was due to his immense Class40 experience,” explains Alex. “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,” assures Alley.

Thomson – aged 34, five years younger than Alley – has very broad experience as a professional racer, sailing teacher and project manager. He has broken several world speed records as crew on the maxi-catamaran Playstation, competed in the America's Cup and Classic British Yacht Regattas and has also sailed on many of the latest generation IMOCA Open 60s, including Hugo Boss currently being campaigned by his brother, Alex. Added to the enormous number of offshore miles logged in the Portimão Global Ocean Race, this accumulated knowledge will be invaluable on board the duo’s Class40. “David has all the right experience and I’m happy to go to sleep and let him drive the boat and I know that he’ll make the right decisions while I’m asleep and I’m certain he feels the same way about me,” confirms Alley.

For Thomson, the partnership with a sailor who has extensive and diverse experience racing Global Challenge yachts, Mini 6.50s and Class40s presents a second opportunity to race around the planet. "The Portimão Ocean Race was challenging, but fun and exhilarating,” says 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 adds. “Alex has proven successful as an offshore sailor and enjoys the adventure that racing a Class40 brings as much as I do."

Race Director, Josh Hall is particularly pleased to welcome Thomson back for the second edition of the race. “David is a fantastic offshore sailor with a wealth of experience and this duo will be a formidable entry in the race. It is very rewarding for us all that we have yet another sailor from the 2008-09 event returning for the next race,” he said. “On a personal note, David is a close friend and I am delighted that he will be competing again as we will get to spend some more time with an exceptionally good guy!”

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 12^th 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 15^th 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