Vendée Globe - Brian Thompson comes in Fifth
Les Sables d'Olonne - It's not hard to see why the late Steve Fossett chose Brian Thompson for his right-hand man on so many occasions. Friendly, cool-headed, funny and laid back, despite the hardships he's endured, Brian has made this Vendée Globe look like a pleasure cruise. He has the kind of demeanor, skills and experience every mariner dreams of, and it's clear why his fellow crewmembers have learned to rely on this. The self-reliance of a long-distance solo race, however, is a new thing for Brian, and with all the time alone, one imagines he's come to understand why his is such sought after company on board a race boat.
Brian's Open 60, Bahrain Team Pindar, is one of the newer designs of the fleet. In a race that saw nearly two-thirds of the fleet retire, it could also be known as "one of those fall-apart boats." But his didn't self-destruct - at least not completely. The fact is, though Pindar was falling to pieces from early on, Brian spent long hours working to reinforce the integrated structure of the hull, and most of the race balancing speed with eminent catastrophic failure. In other words, he "managed" the boat around the world.
There is some controversy surrounding the fact that Pindar was penalized by four hours for having shore crew aboard too late before the start. It seems the enforcement of the penalty took place in a very strange way, and resulted in Brian getting stuck in a weather hole which dropped him back in the fleet. Brian thinks, and many agree, that this penalty may have cost him a podium place. Whether we'll hear anything more about this remains to be seen.
Regardless, coming in fifth under any circumstances (in fact, finishing this race at all) is an extraordinary achievement. Doing this in a boat literally held together by scraps and glue is truly amazing. However, doing all of this while keeping a sense of humor and a stiff upper lip, downplaying the risks and problems, and continuously trading encouragement with his competition via satphone (particularly with the ladies, one might note); this could only be the accomplishment of the very British Brian Thompson.
Brian found his first solo round-the-world race "addictive," and the 2012-13 Vendée Globe will see Thompson enter as a veteran. It's certain that his campaign for the podium will present a force to be reckoned with at that time. Until then, we'll have to wait and see what Brian has in store for us. With his skills and experience, it's easy to imagine that somewhere, on some drafting table, there's a maxi multihull with Brian Thompson's name on it. If so, expect records to fall.
- YachtPals Crew exclusevily for YachtPals.com (all photos by Duff)
Brian Thompson of Bahrain Team Pindar arrives in France.
Brian Thompson celebrates his arrival in France.
Read more about Brian Thompson and the Vendée Globe:
- Brian Thompson Interview
- Brian Thompson (all articles about and by Brian Thompson)
- Brian Thompson (Brian Thompson's Profile - add Brian to your buddy list)
- Bahrain Team Pindar (Brian's Boat Home Page)
- Brian Thompson's blog
- Vendee Globe (all content about the Vendee Globe by date)
- Michel Desjoyeaux Wins the Vendée Globe
- Armel Le Cléac´h Wins Vendée Globe 2nd
- Sam Davies Finishes the Vendée Globe
- Vendée Globe - Marc Guillemot Comes In, Sam Davies Squeezed Out
- Les Sables d’Olonne (all Les Sables sailing news and blogs)
- Vendee Globe Group - Everything about the Vendee Globe
YachtPals Original Boating and Sailing News By YachtPals
Vendee Globe, Brian Thompson, Pindar, Les Sables d’Olonne, France, Brian Thompson sailing, Bagrain team pindar, sailing, yachts
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Home on the Isle of Wight - Brian Thompson
It is now just over a week after the finish of the Vendée Globe and I am home on the Isle of Wight with my wife Nathalie and children Genevieve and Tristan. Although I spent nearly a hundred days at sea, that time now feels very far away, as I quickly get reacclimatised to ‘normal’ life. I am relishing the freedom to walk, to run, to go outside the 60 foot radius I was limited to. I am loving being with the family, and to see people and talk to them face to face rather than over a scratchy phone line. I am absolutely amazed to go to a shop and see a cornucopia of goodies that I was not able to have for so long; fresh milk - just go and pick it up, vegetables - take what I wish, chocolate - which flavour would I like? I am relishing listening to the radio, picking up a newspaper, going to the cinema, walking on grass, seeing the first daffodils appear. It’s all new and fresh to me.
Do I miss those last few weeks and days of the race, being stressed and covered in hydraulic oil, coaxing Bahrain Team Pindar to the finish line to keep 5th place? Not really. Do I miss the Southern Ocean, the warm tradewinds, the purity of the sea? Yes, I have been immensely privileged to see it once again, to live in that world for so long, to really understand we do live on a blue planet, wrapped by the sea. I am sure I will be back, hopefully in another Vendée, perhaps on another speed record attempt, and then one day cruising and showing the kids this wonderful world that we are entrusted with.
I will never forget the finish of course, it was the most amazing experience, the most perfect morning to bring the circle to a close. There was a flotilla of boats at the finish, that sped out at dawn from Les Sables to meet me like those helicopters in Apocalypse Now. As I crossed the finish line I sat on the bowsprit and enjoyed the feeling of elation and relief. Not till the last mile was I really sure I was going to make it, as just that night my keel pin had broken in two and I was sailing with just a free swinging keel, so was always concerned about Dee catching up during that final night.
But the last mile I truly enjoyed, with all family, friends and supporters in the boats alongside enjoying the moment too. Coming up the channel in Les Sables it was just astonishing to see so many people lining the walls to welcome me back, total strangers who just embraced the adventure of the race and wanted to be part of it. I had not really slept in two days but the energy of the crowds kept me going all that day, and those memories will certainly never fade.
Now I am back and really looking forward to what the next few weeks will hold. I plan to go to Bahrain soon and to meet many of my supporters there, and to get Bahrain even more interested in this fantastic sport. I have already converted Sami Kooheji, who was at the finish and is Bahrain’s Olympic Laser sailor, to offshore sailing and would love to help him further into the offshore scene and perhaps eventually to the finish of the Vendée.
Thanks to everyone who wrote to me during the race!
Get out there sailing, enjoying and looking after our endless oceans.
Brian
Great Sail Brian..
Hey Sail Mate.
I know reside in Texas ,, And yes Land Locked ..
I trust you enjoyed your race and Very Well Done..
Keep your Lines Tight
Terry Conroy
dieseldonerightaway@yahoo.com
817 925 8995
Take Care
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