Alex Thomson Racing today announced that Guillermo Altadill, the celebrated Spanish round-the-world sailor, will be joining Alex aboard HUGO BOSS for the 2011 edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre race, which starts in Le Havre on Sunday October 30th.
Guillermo and I have now participated in several races together, including the Fastnet, and it’s a partnership that works well’ said Alex, who, alongside Guillermo, has started a comprehensive training schedule for the race, both on and off the water. ‘Guillermo’s extensive ocean racing experience, both solo and as part of a crew, complements my own experience well, and we’re excited about getting the TJV underway.’
Alex and Guillermo will be sailing the race aboard the Farr-designed IMOCA 60 from OC ThirdPole. ‘Following the Fastnet, we decided to bring forward our refit work on the Juan Kouyoumdjian-designed boat, and we took this opportunity to utilise a fast and proven boat that is ready to go’ said Stewart Hosford, Managing Director of Alex Thomson Racing.
Guillermo Altadill is already familiar with the boat having raced on board in the Barcelona World Race 2007/8 for a previous sponsor, Estrella Damm. As Veolia Environnement, the boat won the Route du Rhum in 2010 with Roland Jourdain at the helm, and as BT, with Seb Josse, won the Rolex Fastnet Race in 2009.
A press conference formally announcing the teams and arrangements for the Transat Jacques Vabre will be held in Paris on Thursday, September 22nd at 11am.