The new HUGO BOSS boat
Designed in partnership by the Alex Thomson Racing team – led by Design Manager Pete Hobson – and French naval architects VPLP, the new HUGO BOSS boat is the first of its kind in the world.
The product of more than two years of painstaking design and build work, undertaken by more than 100 naval architects, designers, engineers and boat builders, the IMOCA 60 race boat has been built with one goal in mind – to win the Vendée Globe in 2020-21.
Explore the HUGO BOSS boats below.
(2019)
The boat is made entirely of carbon fibre, an incredibly lightweight yet durable material, capable of withstanding the brutal conditions of round-the-world yacht racing.
The boat features hydrofoils – something never before seen on a HUGO BOSS boat – designed to reduce drag and optimize speed.
The honeycomb patterned deck, meanwhile - devised by world-renowned industrial designer Konstantin Grcic - is built from light, strong Nomex, while clean carbon surfaces optimize strength and weight.
The yacht features a one-design mast and keel, as specified by the latest rules of the IMOCA class, and was first raced in October 2015 in the 5,000nm Transat Jacques-Vabre race.
Designed by VPLP/Verdier alongside Alex Thomson Racing, the previous HUGO BOSS racing yacht was launched in September 2015. Custom-made for skipper Thomson, this was the second boat ever to be built by the Alex Thomson Racing team. Designed and built to be as light as possible – in order to optimise speed – HUGO BOSS was also constructed with reliability in mind.
The sixth boat owned by the ocean racing team, HUGO BOSS was the first entirely black sailing yacht in the world, a feature made possible by functional pigments with heat-reflecting properties within the paint.
(2015-2019)
Previously Virbac-Paprec, this VPLP/Verdier designed IMOCA 60 boat finished 4th in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe with French skipper Jean-Pierre Dick at the helm.
In 2014, the boat was acquired by Alex Thomson Racing and, as HUGO BOSS, she went on to win the 2014 Ocean Masters Race from New York to Barcelona. Thomson, along with co-skipper Pepe Ribes – later competed onboard HUGO BOSS in the 2014-2015 Barcelona World Race.
After leading the fleet and breaking two race records, the pair were forced to retire from the race after dismasting in the South Atlantic Ocean.
2014 - 2015
In 2011, ahead of the Transat Jacques Vabre, Alex Thomson Racing bought this Farr designed IMOCA 60.
Thomson and co-skipper Guillermo Altadill finished the race in 2nd place. The following year, Thomson broke the west to east Transat record and finished third in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe race after 80 days at sea. In 2013, Thomson raced the boat to a third-place finish in the Rolex Fastnet Race.
The following year Alex Thomson Racing, alongside partner HUGO BOSS, released The Mastwalk, a stunt which saw Alex climb the mast of the boat and dive off into the ocean below.
2011 - 2014
This Juan K designed ex-Pindar IMOCA 60 boat was christened HUGO BOSS in 2010, and finished 7th in the Barcelona World Race with skippers Andy Meiklejohn and Wouter Verbraak.
She finished 2nd in class in the 2011 Sydney Hobart and went on to complete an extensive tour of Asia, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, USA and Canada with Title Partner HUGO BOSS.
2010-2013
The Finot designed HUGO BOSS was the first yacht built specifically for skipper Thomson who, on it, raced to a 2nd place finish in the 2007-08 Barcelona World Race alongside co-skipper Andrew Cape.
In 2007, Thomson broke the world monohull distance record, sailing 501 miles in 24 hours. This was also the boat on which Thomson performed his legendary #Keelwalk, the first in a trilogy of stunts, which have now been watched by millions around the world.
2007-2010
Gleistein Ropes is one of the world’s leading rope manufacturers. Founded in 1824 as a supplier for the vast north German shipping industry, the Gleistein group today provides premium solutions across a broad range of sectors.
Founded in 2004, Oceanvolt is a leading manufacturer of clean electric power and propulsion systems for boats.
Rich Energy is a premium British energy drink.
Founded in 2000, Dream Yacht Charter is a world leader in yacht chartering.
Alex Thomson Racing today added Exposure Lights to the list of specialist suppliers that it will partner with in the lead up to the 2020-21 Vendée Globe.
Base Camp Food has the UK’s widest range of lightweight meals, designed for all outdoor adventures.
UBI MAIOR ITALIA designs and produces first-class sailing deck equipment according to exceptionally high quality standards. The company combines the newest production techniques with time-tested traditions, and the experience of highly skilled professionals who have made their passion for sailing into a life’s work.
Created in 2004 by Marin Clausin, Karver Systems specialise in deck hardware. Headquartered in Honfleur, France but with a network worldwide, the business has developed a reputation for its commitment to technological performance and use of robust, ultra-resistant materials.
Raymarine is a FLIR Systems brand. Founded in 1978, FLIR Systems is a world-leading industrial technology company focused on intelligent sensing solutions for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. FLIR Systems’ vision is to be “The World’s Sixth Sense,” creating technologies to help professionals make more informed decisions that save lives and livelihoods.
Gochermann Solar Technology is a manufacturer of custom solar arrays with very special features required in solar race events such as the Australian World Solar Challenge and other events around the globe, powering cars, boats and airplanes. The company’s lightweight solar arrays meet and exceed all requirements with respect to optical, mechanical, and electrical properties.