Alex Thomson, a top racing yachtsman, has turned to the internet auction site eBay to find a sponsor to allow him to take part in this year�s Vendee Globe race. Thomson only has 7 weeks left to find sponsor.

Mr Thomson, 30, from Gosport, Hampshire, UK, broke the world solo speed sailing record in 2003, travelling 468 miles in 24 hours. "I have never used eBay before, but I am very positive we will get the money one way or another." Thomson said.

The auction ends on June 17th, and the winning bidder gets to name the UK skipper�s 60ft boat. Thomson hopes for a final bid of �2.2m, which would see him active until the end of 2005, but the �1.4m would get his boat ready for the Vendee.

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