Non-stop around the world. 74 days alone on his boat. Coming in a close second. ALEX THOMSON was the hero of the Vendée Globe sailing race.How did he cope with the solitude, the fear, and the setbacks?
Have you caught up on your lost sleep yet?
More or less. But I am still tired. More tired than usual.
Really? You’ve been back on land for six weeks now.
Yes, well. Throughout the 74 days that I spent at sea, I never slept for more than an hour at a stretch. In fact, most days I slept just 20 to 40 minutes every two to four hours. Certainly not more. It takes a while for your sleeping routine to return to normal.
That sounds unbearable.
That’s just how it is in a race like this. You’re on your own in the middle of the ocean on an 18-metre yacht that’s cranking along at 60 km/h. There’s always something to do.
Isn’t sleep critical under those circumstances?
You do sleep – it’s just a different routine. I trained before the race with two researchers on sleep. I called them the Sleep Police. I started training three weeks before the race so that I could get by with just 20 minutes of sleep every two hours.
Sleep deprivation is considered a form of torture.You have to train your body to cope without deep sleep. And it can. But sure – you’re constantly battling with fatigue in a race like this. Every day you’re sailing just this side of complete exhaustion. It’s like the raptures of the deep that divers experience. Faced with a simple arithmetical problem – say, 45 divided by nine – your brain just shuts down and you can’t do it. Everything is a blur.
Did you lose weight?
After an earlier race, I had lost 10 per cent of my body weight. So I took along more food this time. Dry rations mainly.
How do you cook on board?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Riding With The Rain
Ardent travellers Priyanka Jena and Tanveer Taj, along with their four-legged furry friends, embark on a fun-filled monsoon drive to the Phansad region of Maharashtra in a Mercedes-Benz GLE
Nice Swing
Mercedes-Benz is a major golf sponsor both in Germany and abroad, and with good reason. The biggest events of the summer and a plea for the green sport
In The Business Of Art
Balancing her family business and her love for art, entrepreneur and artist Akshita Gandhi says that hard work and passion have brought her success
Intelligence Redefined
Mercedes-Benz launches the new E-Class in India with BS VI-compliant engines. It's the perfect combination of responsible luxury and intelligence for a higher purpose
Federer - The human superstar
Roger Federer is one of the best tennis players of all time. It’s easy to believe he has achieved world fame with ease and humility. But is that really the case? Our author spent a day with the Swiss star on the set of a shoot in Dubai – and came back inspired
The Performance Life
Life without performance? Quite unthinkable, if your car comes from the venerable stables of Mercedes-AMG. The new compact luxury models from the marque swear by this credo
The Art Of Chocolate
Chocolate becomes a work of art when, from the bean to the bar, a single manufacturer oversees every step, transforming it into something very exclusive and supremely luxurious.
S-class of Suvs
Mercedes-Benz India launched its most luxurious SUV in India – the GLS 350 d – and commenced its local production.
A Sparkling Heritage
Chandra Surana is spearheading the growth of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (johuree), a name with a centuries-old legacy in heritage-styled jewellery.
He Says She Says
His and hers. Both love setting out on a road trip, particularly in a luxurious set of wheels. He likes to drive, while she enjoys the comfort features and tech wizardry inside the car. The GLC is a perfect choice for the pune couple.
