British solo sailor Brian Thompson has completed all the necessary qualification requirements to take part in the Vendée Globe race in November. Although not very well known by the general public, he is nontheless an experienced offshore sailor. His yacht, Pindar is considered to be the most powerful boat in the fleet.

This leaves only Austrian sailor Norbert Sedlacek to complete his qualification and join the 29 other skippers on the startline on the 9th November.
Yachting Monthly, 18 September 2008