American Sailor Takes on World’s Ultimate Endurance Race
San Francisco, CA
August 20, 2003

Single Handed Sailor, Bruce Schwab, First American to Announce Entry in 2004 Vendee Globe Race

Bruce Schwab, the only American sailor in the “Open 60” ocean racing circuit, has officially announced his entry in the 2004/2005 Vendee Globe race. “No American has ever officially finished this event. Not only do I want to be the first American to finish it, the goal is to be on the podium.”

The Vendee Globe is the epitome of extreme endurance competition, being a solo, non-stop around the world race without assistance. The quadrennial event’s next start is on November 7th 2004 from Les Sables d'Olonne on the southwest coast of France. First raced in 1989, the Vendee is considered to be the most grueling test of solo sailing skill in an around the world race for two simple, brutal reasons: there is no stopping and there is no help allowed from outside the boat.

When the racers set out next November from France, race officials are anticipating crowds of 250,000 in addition to millions following on the Internet and television. The sailors head into the waters of the Atlantic on a southerly course leading past South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope before entering the perilous Southern Ocean. They then circumnavigate the Antarctic continent, rounding infamous Cape Horn before heading north for the finish back where it started, in Les Sable d’Olonne.

Bruce’s boat, “Ocean Planet,” is the only American Open 60 and a departure from the other Open 60 designs in several ways. One example of his design team’s innovations is the boat’s rotating unstayed mast. Bruce points out, “Ocean Planet is already the first racing sailboat, single-handed or crewed, to complete an around the world race with an unstayed mast. Frankly, many thought it wouldn’t survive the race. But we proved them wrong. Our unstayed mast is nearly as light as a conventional one, and has a significantly lower center of gravity. It may seem radical, but it’s just one of the reasons she’s extremely reliable, durable and easy to handle which, as you can imagine, is a very big deal in a solo around the world race.”

Ocean Planet will be in Portland, Maine, over the winter to finish the upgrades for next fall’s race. “Some of our developments will be hidden, but for the most part the project will be open for public viewing. We’ll be indoors at our new base at Portland Yacht Service all winter and will be launching our education program there. This will be a great place to bring everyone in to see our boat, and share what it takes to sail nonstop around the world.”

Funding for Ocean Planet has come mostly from donations to The Made in America Foundation, Schwab’s non-profit organization, but a Title sponsor and donations are still needed. “Preparing for the Vendee is a serious business” explains Schwab.

David Halliwill, a long-time supporter of Bruce and a Friend of Ocean Planet, helped form Every Ocean Sports to help take the funding efforts to another level. “We’ve put together a three pronged media and partner strategy to maximize US and global visibility for our sponsors. We’re partnering with a worldwide sports radio network, working with the producers of a US public television documentary, and teaming with an experienced educational program. This combination will deliver to millions a great story and a fantastic learning experience. It’s a compelling package that will allow Bruce and team to concentrate on getting the boat ready to win” says Halliwill.

But Bruce hasn’t forgotten how he got this far, “Without the supporters of The Made in America Foundation, Ocean Planet would not be in the water today.”

Among those supporters have been close friends of Ocean Planet like Kevin and Shauna Flanigan of Portland, Oregon. Flanigan says, “I’m utterly passionate about the mission Bruce is on with Ocean Planet. I’m a sailor and I love racing, but what’s so rewarding for us in supporting Bruce is his fundamental vision for our sport. Races like the Vendee Globe push design techniques, new technology and old fashioned tactical approaches to their limit. Not only that, his seminars are inspirational and the educational programs that his team is building for kids will have an important positive impact.”

To find out more about supporting Bruce Schwab and Ocean Planet, their sponsorship and educational programs, or to schedule an inspiring multimedia show and presentation by Bruce, e-mail tkennon@everyocean.com or call Thom Kennon on 202.246.5737.