Saturday 15 January 2011

BWR: The Story of HUGO BOSS in the Barcelona World Race

Part Two: Here comes the BOSS!


Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

by Anne Hinton

Two exhausting and fantastic days of sailing (by Wouter Verbraak):

Green, rough, stunning and rugged, the islands of the Canaries never fail to impress. As we didn’t get a chance to get as far west as the leaders, we found the Canaries right in the middle of our track. Good news!, as these 2000-3000 metre high islands provide for excellent funneling. Having done weather routing for several races going through here, I know all too well that there is a huge risk too; the lee of the islands. Get stuck in the lee of the 3000meter high mountain, and you will lose many, many miles.


Start of the Barcelona World Race. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

So a day to be alert, and both Andy and myself were up most of the day gybing through the channels between the islands. The trick is to curve the island as much as you dare, as the wind does the same thing, and will give you a real good heading out. Push it too far though, and, like a wall, the winds just stops, and there is no way out.


Wouter Verbraak. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

As the long term objective still was to get west for a good angle in the Trades to the Cape Verdes, we chose the less common gap between the islands of Tenerife and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. We definitely got it right, and were blasting along in 25knots of funneled breeze instead of the 12 knot gradient wind outside the islands; massive gains!!!

Skiff sailors going around the world...


Andy Meiklejohn. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

In 25 knots of breeze, IMOCA 60s, like VO70s, turn into giant, very wet, skiffs. Perhaps it is no wonder, then, that the latest breed of ocean racer consists of International 49er and skiff sailors. Iker Martinez (49er World Champion, Olympic Silver Medallist in Qingdao and Gold Medallist in Athens) will skipper an entry in the next Volvo Ocean Race (VOR), having been inshore race skipper on Telefonica Blue in the last VOR. Chris Nicholson, a skiff sailor from Australia, will skipper the New Zealand entry in the next VOR, Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand. Xabi Fernandez, Martinez’ partner in the 49er, is his co-skipper on board Mapfre in the present Barcelona World Race, and will do the VOR with him too. Andy Meiklejohn, the Kiwi on Hugo Boss, is a keen 12 foot skiff sailor who has also now turned his attention to ocean racing.

Damage and visitors on other boats


HUGO BOSS. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

To date the skiff sailors in the BWR have largely escaped on the damage front. The two leaders arrive in Recife, Brazil, today for a replacement bow crash box (Foncia) and re-attaching the mainsheet traveller to the boat (Virbac Paprec 3). Président had to pull out of the race at the Cape Verde islands, after hitting a bad wave train, burying the bow a little and losing the mast. Torn sails and, in the Med., the usual inshore hazards of fishing nets and pots, have also affected the fleet.

Spanish participants in the race enjoyed a “visit” from the Three Kings in early January and were able to open presents that had been brought with them. However, the most unusual thing to occur on an offshore race in decades happened to Mirabaud 30 miles off the Moroccan coast: they were boarded by customs officials while racing! Dominique Wavre (SUI) commented: “They went straight for the white silica powder. I saw myself already behind bars.” They also opened vacuum-sealed food, intended for the latter part of the 90, or so, day race, and generally disturbed things throughout the boat. The customs officials left Mirabaud as suddenly as they had arrived, after receiving a radio call, and without a word of explanation. BWR officials reminded the Moroccan authorities of the race, which is supposed to be two-handed around the world, from Barcelona and back to Barcelona, without visitors en route.

“Look out, here comes the BOSS!”

Hugo Boss got off to a slow start in the race, but the wind arrived in the Atlantic, Meiklejohn and Verbraak became more accustomed to sailing the boat together, made some good strategic calls, and Hugo Boss is currently the fastest in the fleet, rapidly reeling in her competitors. As Meiklejohn wrote in a Tweet, “Look out, here comes the BOSS!”


Andy Meiklejohn. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

The story of HUGO BOSS in the Barcelona World Race has been full of drama for the lead skipper and his family, but things have now settled down on board, with Meiklejohn and Verbraak doing the entire race together, and the routing can be based on the weather systems, rather than needing to make a stop to exchange skippers, and HUGO BOSS is in her element, currently in tenth position, but with the “bungee” concertina effect on the fleet in the vicinity of the Doldrums, they are also closing rapidly on the front runners.

The Barcelona World Race may only be fourteen days old (at time of writing), but HUGO BOSS already has plenty of stories to tell. Kipling wrote, in “If”, of triumph turning into disaster making men, but the story of HUGO BOSS in the Barcelona World Race has already been one of overcoming hard times, making the team stronger and a significant force to be reckoned with on the race track.


Andy Meiklejohn. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

We wish Meiklejohn, Verbraak, and all competitors in the 2010 Barcelona World Race, a safe, fast and fair race, and hope that the health of young Oscar Thomson continues to improve, so that he is able to be in Barcelona, with his parents, to greet HUGO BOSS on her triumphant return.


HUGO BOSS. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

Andy Meiklejohn
Wouter Verbraak
Alex Thomson Racing
Barcelona World Race

America's Cup: AC45 Wing-sail Now Assembled

Time-lapse video:



America's Cup

BWR: The Story of HUGO BOSS in the Barcelona World Race

Part One: Stormy, White-Out Conditions...


Andy and Wouter wave goodbye at the start of the Barcelona World Race. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

by Anne Hinton

HUGO BOSS left the UK for Barcelona in December in a snow storm, heading downwind. Entirely unusual conditions, but good preparation for the tough racing in the Southern Ocean that lies ahead, it could be said.

However, long before the Southern Ocean, Alex Thomson Racing’s entry in the Barcelona World Race has continued to have unexpected circumstances and hard times to overcome, with Alex Thomson (GBR) having an emergency appendectomy just three days before the start of the race. Wouter Verbraak (NED) replaced Thomson on board HUGO BOSS, joining New Zealander Andy Meiklejohn as co-skipper. Meiklejohn commented that Thomson was his best friend, but he and Verbraak have known each other many years and always have a good laugh when they meet up, according to their wives.


Andy Meiklejohn and Alex Thomson, on arrival in Barcelona on board HUGO BOSS. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

Verbraak had plans to go into IMOCA 60 racing, but was nothing like as experienced as Thomson and Meiklejohn with HUGO BOSS prior to setting off on the Barcelona World Race on 31st December. Through planning and training for the Barcelona World Race, Thomson and Meiklejohn had got to know each other well as both people and as double-handed sailors on the IMOCA 60, but this relationship was not established with Verbraak.

Meiklejohn’s yachting background in New Zealand dates from youth sailing, winning national championships, skiff sailing (he sent a Tweet of encouragement from Hugo Boss in the Atlantic Ocean to the 12 foot skiff Interdominions in Sydney, in which his former skipper has been competing), the Louis Vuitton Trophy and, more recently, offshore, in teams, doing campaigns such as the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-6 on Brasil 1. Thomson is used to short-handed ocean racing, but Verbraak, like Meiklejohn, is more used to fully-crewed offshore racing. In other words, the learning curve for Wouter Verbraak on Hugo Boss must necessarily be a steep one, and his co-skipper, Meiklejohn, is also under pressure with the change of partner on board, and needing to pass on knowledge about the boat.


Preparations for the race on HUGO BOSS. Image copyright JMLiot/Barcelona World Race.

“The Barcelona World Race was a goal of mine, so I’m looking forward to this amazing opportunity to sail with long-time friend Andy Meiklejohn as Alex’s substitute,” said Verbraak.

“The HUGO BOSS yacht is great to sail and Andy and I complement each other well on board. The preparation for the race by the team has been amazing so we’re well equipped for the task ahead.”

Andy Meiklejohn, co-skipper, said: “It has been tough with Alex’s sudden illness, but having Wouter as the substitute skipper is the best possible solution to the situation. Having sailed together before we have a strong bond, which will help us overcome the initial challenge. We’re fully focused on the task ahead.”


Alex Thomson in hospital, after his appendectomy. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

A second hitch, after the appendectomy, which had enabled Thomson, by chance, to be home for the birth of his son, Oscar, last week, came in the sad form of illness for the little chap. In consequence Verbraak is now on board Hugo Boss for the entire race with Meiklejohn. It is a pairing that one would expect to become stronger throughout the race, as Verbraak gets to know the boat, and they both establish a good working pattern on board.


Preparing HUGO BOSS for the Barcelona World Race. Image copyright JMLiot/ Barcelona World Race.

There have been some unexpected occurrences on board but, so far, at least, not the damage that has occurred to others in the IMOCA 60 fleet. Thomson was initially on a high protein and fibre diet after his operation, and would have needed to adjust to the freeze-dried high calorie dose sachets on the boat. Strangely the food on board is labelled in Norwegian – and, as Verbraak lives in Norway, he is able to translate for Meiklejohn to give him an idea of the forthcoming taste of his freeze-dried sachet! One wonders what would have happened if Thomson and Meiklejohn had been alone on board. A perpetual guessing game as to what one might be about to eat, in all probability!

Another unusual circumstance for a sailor racing around the world is that Verbraak has few of his own clothes with him, while Thomson’s are on board, as it was expected that there would be a change in personnel at the Cape Verde Islands. As this hasn’t happened, Verbraak is now wearing Thomson’s clothes. It is very fortunate that Thomson takes larger, rather than smaller, clothes sizes than Verbraak!

Hugo Boss had been due to make a stop in the Cape Verde islands to swap Verbraak for Thomson, but is now free to race as hard as possible around the world. Verbraak commented: “Physically we have to say that this boat is a handful. Having gone from crewed sailing it is a very different level of exhaustion that we are learning to experience. But mentally we have been in such limbo these last days that today it is a feeling of relief, and focus on catching up.”


Andy Meiklejohn. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.

‘Wouter the Router’ is a trained meteorologist. He is an accomplished sailor who has a very competitive attitude and team player approach. In the last Volvo Ocean Race, he assisted different teams on board for legs of the course around the world. Verbraak has a wealth of experience in both inshore and offshore racing. In addition to the Volvo Ocean Race, he has sailed in the America’s Cup, the Oryx Quest, and the Tour de France à la Voile, won the Admiral’s Cup, TP52 MedCup, Middle Sea Race, Cape Town to Bahia Race and the Sydney to Hobart, co-skippered the Elanders and Avant boats in the Volvo Baltic Race and he has also advised sailors on strategy and weather in the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Olympics.

As mentioned before, the main challenge for the pair is to get used to both each other and double-handed sailing, as their background is from a fully crewed environment. Verbraak has been making extensive notes to help them through this process and become used to double-handed sailing:

Wouter the Router’s Guide to Double-Handed Sailing (taken from his blog):


Wouter Verbraak (left) and Andy Meiklejohn. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

Being well organised is a key factor for being able to race to the maximum..:

“1. When the fleet is leaving you behind, it is all down to helping each other out mentally to get over it, and move on. Like on crewed races, keeping a positive atmosphere is key. The difference is that in a crew of ten, there is always someone with a joke or cheerful anecdote. Here it is all down to yourself and your co-skipper to sort it out. I can say we have been very good at it so far! The mood is positive and pro-active. We are going to get these guys!

“2. The auto pilot is the most important item on the boat. Not being able to use it means you are hand steering for all of your watch, you can`t look after all the routine checks and systems, and most important you get exhausted and lose focus to make good decisions. The extremely light winds are a real challenge for the pilots, and basically we had to hand-steer for two days straight in the Mediterranean. Not good!

“3. Think efficiency with everything you do. Pulling a Code Zero 200 m2 upwind headsail in with four guys on the grinders is a good work out. Reduce the muscle power with two, and you certainly have your tongue on your knees after a tack! So: we are finding little tricks everywhere to reduce friction in the rope systems, pull the furling line instead of the sheet when unfurling, etc, etc, etc. It is a never ending game!

“4. Look after each other well; three meals a day, and as much sleep as you can manage to squeeze in, will keep you fit and focused. A cup of coffee for the other guy when he wakes up is magical!

“5. Deal with things straight away; messy cockpit with ropes everywhere? Not a problem now! Making a cup of tea is much more appealing, but postpone tidying up, and the next manoeuvre is a mess...”

For the record, Alex Thomson made a comparison between singlehanded and double handed sailing: "Double sailing is physically harder because you usually perform more manoeuvres. Solo sailing is more demanding psychologically. For example, when you change the sail by yourself you have to be really careful not to make any mistakes." The boat is driven harder in double-handed sailing. Thomson was second in the inaugural two-handed Barcelona World Race.

Life on board at present, as the fastest boat in the fleet, with over 14 knots boat speed, per Wouter Verbraak:


Wouter Verbraak. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

“30 minutes of non-stop grinding, tailing and pulling ropes under the Niagra Falls. At the end of the session, with all sails properly trimmed, and you are heavily breathing hoping for a little break, there is no break. The cockpit is a spaghetti of rope, and we have to dig into it. Happy thoughts; we are living our dream, finish what you started, life is beautiful (somewhere, just not right now right here, no - ban that last nasty thought - we are faster). “Great change, Andy, you are awesome, good comms, and the right choice. You go and lay your head down; I had a good nap just before. I will clean this mess up.”

“You see, that is the thing with this race. A triathlon is over after eight hours; here it just never stops.

“Porridge is ready. Nice! Little break before looking at the important stuff: strategy and weather.

“Have a great day; we are living our dream out here!”


Start of the Barcelona World Race. Image copyright Barcelona World Race.

Andy Meiklejohn
Wouter Verbraak
Alex Thomson Racing
Barcelona World Race

3D Pure Sailing Passion: Images by Juerg Kaufmann



Go4Image

America's Cup: Video - The America's Cup visits its new home



America's Cup

America's Cup: Of Wings and Aeroplanes... Latest Images of the AC45 from Gilles Martin-Raget

Putting the webbing on


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Phil Jameson and Dirk de Ridder. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

Inside a hull


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

Wing Transportation to ex-Team NZ base at the Viaduct Basin


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

AC45 assembly at the Viaduct Basin in the ex-Team NZ base: finishing touches to the hull


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

Auckland Harbour Bridge from above


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

America's Cup