IN 1999, at the age of 25, Alex Thomson became the youngest skipper ever to win a round the world race.

Four years later, he took the world monohull speed record sailing 468 miles in 24 hours on board AT Racing.

Last year, Thomson smashed his own record, sailing 501 nautical miles in 24 hours at an average of 20.9 knots, on his way to second place in the Barcelona World Race on Hugo Boss II.

Thomson's success has seen him rise through the ranks of solo sailing, gaining the respect of his peers and establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.

In Hugo Boss II he has one of the quickest and newest boats in the fleet - and one that has been he has had time to tame.

Click here to watch Thomson's campaign video

He has also built up a reputation as one of the most dedicated sailors, willing to give everything in pursuit of glory.

"I'm ready," the 33-year-old said with trademark confidence.

"I've done 40,000 miles on the boat, not made many changes and I feel confident and really good.

"I am certainly in a position to win this race.

"Obviously the competition is very hard - there's lots of new boats and the skippers are all of a fantastic calibre.

"It will definitely be tough, but the possibility of winning is there."

Click here to see Alex Thomson talking to Will Carson

Thomson is not short of critics however, who claim his determination can also be his own worst enemy when he pushes himself or his boat too hard.

He was forced to retire from the 2004/5 Vendée Globe while pushing his boat to the limit - and in 2006 he had to be rescued in the Southern Ocean by fellow Hampshire sailor Mike Golding when his boat started sinking.

"The problems I've had in past races have been technical choices," he said.

"I don't think it's down to me pushing too hard, and I will continue to sail the boat the way I think it should be."

Thomson, based in Gosport, is one of six Hampshire sailors vying for a spot on the podium.

"Racing against all the other guys is great, we all get on well and have a good laugh with each other," he said.

"We live in this world of enormous stress, but having your mates out there with you is really nice.

"This will be the hardest offshore race I have ever sailed in, but I'm just really looking forward to getting out there and starting the race."