Fuel shortage could end Hampshire sailor's Vendée Globe challenge (From This is Hampshire)
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Fuel shortage could end Hampshire sailor Alex Thomson's Vendée Globe challenge
6:54pm Saturday 5th January 2013 in Hampshire Sport
Fuel shortage could end Hampshire sailor's Vendée Globe challenge
ROUND the world racer Alex Thomson's Vendée Globe future was in doubt today after he revealed he does not have enough fuel to complete the 24,000-mile race.
Thomson's two hydrogenerators, propeller-like generators which provide his 60ft yacht with most of its power, were damaged early in the solo non-stop race.
The 38-year-old from Gosport has been racing on limited power supplies for around a month, but he admitted today that he will not be able to make the finish line in France if he doesn't fix his hydrogenerators.
“I’ve had hydro-generators issues for the past month and hopefully I’ll get a chance to work hard on them in the near future,” he said.
“I really need to because I don't have enough fuel to finish the race.
“I’m focusing on sailing the boat in a way that will allow me to make it to the finish line.”
Race organisers described Thomson's condition as “critical”.
Twenty one sailors set off on the Vendée Globe on November 10 from Les Sables d'Olonne in France but only 13 remain in the race after around 16,000 miles.
The leading boats are expected to finish the race later this month.
