A Spectacular New Stunt by Alex Thomson

With his latest stunt, the British yachtsman Alex Thomson has once again underlined his reputation as a daredevil. During his breath taking Skywalk he catapulted himself and his kiteboard to a dizzying height of over 85 metres, powered only by the wind and his racing yacht IMOCA Open 60 HUGO BOSS.

Having reached this height, he released the long rope that connected him to the boat and landed upright on the water. And to top it all off, he wore a water-repellent suit by BOSS during his ‘walk across the sky’. The Skywalk completes Alex Thomson’s trilogy of spectacular stunts that began in 2012 with the Keelwalk and continued in 2014 with the Mastwalk. Mercedes-Benz has been a co-sponsor and technology partner of Alex Thomson Racing (ATR) alongside HUGO BOSS since last year.

«Alex Thomson and Mercedes-Benz share an enduring aspiration and passion to excel,» said Dr Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. «Our partnership with this exceptional sailor is a further proof that passion and courage have no boundaries.»

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet also put in an appearance during the Skywalk shoot. «It was great fun to master the challenges of the Skywalk and driving the E-Class Cabriolet,» said Alex Thomson. «The car is a dream come true for anyone who enjoys the wind and the sun.»

Thomson was supported in the planning and preparations for the Skywalk by a team of 35 including professional kite surfer Susie Mai and kite boarding instructor Ray Kasper. The Skywalk took place off the coast of the Algarve in Portugal. Thomson used a special ten metre kite that lifted him to a height of over 85 metres. That is twice as high as the mast on his yacht and higher than the Tower Bridge in London. At the maximum height Thomson released the rope and landed back on the water after a short flight of 60 to 90 seconds, reaching an ascent speed in excess of 25 knots.