it's a month to go until british sailor alex thomson begins his latest quest to win the vendee globeevious attempts, and having to work around a worldwide pandemic this year — thomson has his eyes on going one better in the single—handed round the world race, often regarded as the toughest sporting event on the planet! lewis coombes reports. 28,000 miles on your own without stopping without help. around 3060 foot thurber at racing yachts began, only one will win. the race is over before you start. it is all in the preparation, the choices you make and some we made two years ago. you cannot beat yourself up and worry about it too much. you have to be strong, stick to your plan, you have to be confident and you got to work with some of the best people in the world which is what we do. three yea rs world which is what we do. three years on from an agonising second—place finish, this is thomson's fit the tent at achieving his holy grail. the battle now is try to go that one step further but as everfor try to go that one step further but as ever for vessels like this it is about performan

she's taking part in this year's vendee globe race.hink there's another sporting event on the planet that asks so much of human beings. pip‘s trying to beat the world record set 15 years ago by dame ellen macarthur. the challenge is physically tough both on the saver and on the boat. —— on the sailor. but something that can be overlooked is the mental health strain of being completely alone at sea for weeks on end. it is why pip‘s team is going to keep a eye on her well—being. pip‘s boat is kitted out with every gadget you'd expect on the 2ist—century craft. autopilot, gps, led flares, but what sets it apart is that mental health tech is also part the package. i'm really interested in how you're going to cope with being completely on your own for such a long period of time. so, it is a long time at sea but i'm really not alone, i'm well—connected. i have two satellite systems, i can upload video, i can whatsapp chats... and this connection to short is where this 20—year—old yacht becomes cutting—edge. pip‘s team plans to use artificial

and can alex thomson seal his status as one of the greats in sailing — as he attempts win the vendee globece? hello there and welcome to sportsday. we have a busy night of international football action ahead. all the home nations are in action — with rather more at stake for some. northern ireland travel to bosnia for their european championship play—off semi—final — with a possible tie against the republic on the cards if they win. while scotland are at home to israel in their semi. some big names are missing for steve clarke's side though, as they hope to move to within one match of a first major tournament since 1998. let's head to hampden park, and join our sports correspondent andy swiss. great to see you. this is a massive game for scotland, isn't it? it is gavin, yes a huge night for scotland. no fans but certainly no shortage of pressure because as you say they have not qualified for and major tournament since the world cup backin major tournament since the world cup back in 1998 when craig brown took them to the finals in france but if they can beat israel here tonight and then we

she's taking part in this year's vendee globe race.an beings. pip's trying to beat the world record set 15 years ago by dame ellen macarthur. the challenge is physically tough both on the sailor and on the boat. but something that can be overlooked is the mental health strain of being completely alone at sea for weeks on end. it is why pip's team is going to keep a eye on her well—being. pip's boat is kitted out with every gadget you'd expect on the 21st—century craft. autopilot, gps, led flares, but what sets it apart is that mental health tech is also part of the package. i'm really interested in how you're going to cope with being completely on your own for such a long period of time. so, it is a long time at sea but i'm really not alone, i'm well—connected. i have two satellite systems, i can upload video, i can whatsapp chats... and this connection to shore is where this 20—year—old yacht truly becomes cutting—edge. pip's team plans to use artificial intelligence to understand how she's really feeling from the videos she shares du