With the Global Ocean Race 2013/14 as the goal, Alex has launched a new campaign to race a Class 40 yacht, single handed round the world. Click on 'sailing' tab to find out more.
Click on the video clip below to see what it is like to race a Class 40 downwind in up to 40 knots of wind. Much of this footage was taken during the two handed race from Horta in the Azores to Les Sables in France. A total of 1300 miles. During one 24 hour period, Alex and Nicko managed to cover over 320 miles and for a short time were averaging 20 knots. Enjoy
The high performance leadership / teamwork book, 'Boat to Boardroom' has finally been finished and is available to order.
This unique book is actually two books in one. The first half is the story of Team Stelmar in the 2004/5 Global Challenge Yacht Race. The second half of the book uses the story as an 'extreme case study' and draws out the leadership lessons in nine separate chapters.
The book is available to order for £15.00 plus p&p (normal RRP £24.99), just click on 'Buy Now' to pay by credit card or Paypal.
Alex earns a living as a Professional Sailor and Trainer, specialising in Leadership and Teambuilding as well as running his own program called VMG. He also works as an Inspirational speaker, commercial yacht skipper and is a qualified sailing instructor. His 15 years as a national sales manager and trainer also gives him a strong background to deliver coaching to sales teams.
In 2005 he returned from competing in the 'Global Challenge' as Watch Leader on Team Stelmar. Dubbed 'The Worlds Toughest Yacht Race', it sails the 'wrong' way round the world against the prevailing winds and currents. Alex stepped in as a last minute replacement after the previous Watch Leader left just 2 days before leaving for the Southern Ocean. Alex took on a de-motivated and disillusioned watch and then had the job of converting them into an effective, high performing team. On top of all this, Alex had to deal with the trauma and emotional loss of not 1, but 2 crew due to medical evacuations around the notorious Cape Horn. Then to keep the watch motivated for the remainder of the 54 day leg in the freezing cold expanse, took all his skill and effort. This leg saw them achieve 1 of several 24 hour distance records.
During the 10 months of the race, Alex covered some 35,700 miles in some of the world's most hostile oceans. This now takes his total racing mileage to almost 100,000.
Alex's next adventure is to compete in a single handed round the world race on a 40' yacht. A brand new race starting in 2013.
