The Brighton yachtsman yesterday launched the boat which will take him on a solo 4,000-mile journey from France to the Caribbean later this year.

And that's only the start. Next year, Alex plans to circumnavigate the globe alone, following in the wake of nautical legend Sir Francis Chichester.

His 21ft English Braid, named after his sponsor company, was lowered into the water at Brighton Marina, watched by a 100-strong crowd.

A cruiser towed it towards the Marina exit for its first trials.

In September, after six months of testing and race practice, the yacht leaves Concarmeau in France to Guadeloupe, 4,000 miles away across the Atlantic, when it takes part in the Mini Transat Race.

On the way Alex and his rivals could encounter 50ft waves and will only be able to sleep for two hours at a time.

He said: "It's always been my dream to go around the world on my own in a boat and this is another step towards that ambition.

"I've been sailing since the age of four, when my dad first took me out for lessons."

And even though he is one of the youngest entrants, Alex certainly isn't going along just for the experience.

He said: "I want to win. I think that with the boat we've got here, I've a good chance.

"It's not going to be that dangerous if I prepare in every way possible."

Every night he does fitness training, including gym work and running.

And for the past few months he has been waking every two hours in preparation for the short amounts of sleep available on board.

Alex said: "At sea you can leave the autopilot on when you sleep but if you get a change in the weather then you have to act quickly."

eThere will be a limited supply of water and only freeze-dried food on board.

But Alex said: "My home is the sea. Some people see it as lonely but solitude can be pleasant.

"I will probably miss being able to have a hot bath and the sleeping quarters are very cramped.

"There's never any time to get bored because you have to trim the sails, navigate the boat and everything else."

Dad David has followed his son's progress and said: "He's a very confident young man and this is what he's always wanted to do.

"He's been sailing since a young age but you still worry, as any parents would. I'll be right with him all the way."

The family will meet up after the first 1,400-mile stage when Alex stops in Tenerife.

He then faces a further 2,600 miles to the Caribbean, which will take about 17 days.

This leg is where the sea gets really rough, with the risk of Force Ten storms.

Peter Earl, managing director of rope manufacturers English Braid, said: "I sometimes think he's got a screw loose going 4,000 miles in that little boat.

"When you speak to people who have been out on the ocean they tell you what it's like sailing nnto vertical water."

But Alex has always loved a challenge. At the age of 13 mother Ginny was shocked to find him sitting in his bedroom with the window open during a snow storm, "practising" toughness for his round-the-world journey.

The technical efforts involved in the year of preparation for the transAtlantic race will have cost his sponsors more than £50,000.

Alex will enter 22 smaller events first.

The technology used will not just benefit elite racers.

English Braid has developed special ropes for his use which it hopes to market next year.

The company's technical director, Pete Neale, said: "This whole effort has speeded up our research, so Alex's attempt to win the race will help sailors everywhere.

"His ambition is infectious and drives the rest of us on."

Alex, who grew up in Yorkshire, now lives in Victory Mews, in the Marina.

He said: "It's a really good place for me because all the facilities are on hand."

The Mini Transat Race race sets off from France on September 26.

Fans will be able to keep in touch with Alex when they visit a website which he hopes to launch soon, featuring weather bulletins, progress reports and his views and opinions.

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