Alex Thomson is an inspiration. There are many great sportsmen, but what sets Alex apart is his ability to articulate his experiences with incredible charisma, enthusiasm, and a healthy dose of humor. He is a natural orator.

In October 2005, Alex Thomson vowed to be the first skipper to race three gruelling round the world races in three years; the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2006-07, followed by the inaugural two-handed Barcelona World Race 2007 and culminating with the infamous Vendée Globe 2008.

Life is good for Alex. He is about to embark on the second of his 3 round the world yacht races in his new stylish 60ft Yacht. He has a long-standing sponsorship deal with top fashion house Hugo Boss. At 33 he already has a world record under his belt, and a media profile enviable of sportsmen around the globe.

But life has not always been glamorous and uncomplicated for Alex. At 21, he found himself working in a factory packing plastic straws for McDonalds, probably not what one would expect of a would be world record holder.

Four years later, his personal determination to succeed saw him become the youngest skipper ever to win a round the world yacht race, aged just 25. This is a race for teams of amateurs, and Alex as skipper being the only professional sailor on board, led them to victory in 13 of the 16 legs. This is testament to the natural leadership skills he possessed from such a young age.

Alex is more than just a sportsman. This tenacity and drive have helped him succeed in commercial circles too and in 2004 he and his team secured a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with global fashion brand Hugo Boss. The influence of his personal mentor and backer, Sir Keith Mills is never more evident than here.

The VELUX 5 oceans in 2006, proved to be one of the toughest challenges Alex has undertaken to date, but not in a way he could have ever anticipated. Thomson’s Yacht HUGO BOSS suffered severe keel failure, forced him to abandon her in the southern ocean, 1000 miles from the nearest land. In spite of the life threatening conditions, Alex diligently filmed the treacherous rescue operation, that was beamed live via satellite to more than 200million viewers and about which Channel 4 later commissioned a one-off documentary.

And yet, despite his terrible experiences in the Southern ocean, this extraordinary young man is preparing to do it all again. In November 2007 Alex will compete in the Barcelona World Race which will see him face the terrors of the world’s oceans again, at sea non stop for nearly 90 days.

Alex’s experiences and success in both the sporting and business world make him a compelling, eloquent and knowledgeable speaker on many aspects of determination, leadership, motivation and an unquenchable desire for adventure. An hour with Alex Thomson is sure to leave your audience breathless, engaged, entertained and full of awe.