COOL, calm and collected.

That’s the only way to describe Brian Thompson’s approach to the Everest of sailing races, the Vendée Globe.

Thompson may not have had the exposure afforded to big names like Mike Golding and Alex Thomson but one thing is for certain – he will stop at nothing to be crowned winner of the 24,000-mile race.

Click here to see Brian Thompson in action

In his state-of-the-art Open 60 Pindar, Thompson has what race legend Michel Desjoyeaux has described as “the fastest boat out there”.

Despite the early stages of the campaign being dogged with equipment problems, Thompson said he has the confidence he needs in his boat to perform.

“I have had problems in the past with the rig but I’ve done 6,000 miles of solo training in some very bad weather now and the mast is rock solid,” he said.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the whole boat, and that’s what you need.

“I would like to have done more transatlantic races to know where my performance is against the other boats but trust my ability and my boat.”

The 46-year-old from Lymington is notoriously shy and retiring on land – but on the water he is a different person and his sailing success speaks for itself.

Thompson has broken 25 sailing world records including the fastest round the world, non-stop record onboard late adventurer Steve Fossett’s multihull Cheyenne.

“I’ve been into the Southern Ocean three times and I’m comfortable with it.

“There is always the iceberg danger and it’s always a bit of Russian roulette but apart from that I’m happy.

“I just can’t wait to get out there.”

Now camped out at the race village in Les Sables, Thompson said he is eager for the November 9 start date to come round.

“The campaign is all going really well,” he said.

“The boat is ready to generate as much power as possible.

“There’s a whole range of pitfalls out there and it’s a huge ask to expect to win but if you don’t go out there with an aim to win it will never happen.

“This will be the biggest Vendée Globe ever and it is a really good chance for me to win a really big race.

“I have a top team, in Pindar I have a great boat and there’s absolutely no reason why I shouldn’t go out to win this race.”