Ocean Planet Vendée Globe
Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Hi folks!

Busy day as we lifted our trusty steed up onto European soil for the first time......

We'll be working like mad for a few days to get things touched up and then back in the water before the weekend.

Last weekend there were THOUSANDS on the docks, and I can't imagine what the crowds will be like in a couple of weeks.

We have had tremendous assistance from various resources here in Les Sables, for instance, Stephane (pictured drilling above with Mario guiding) who works on a local Open 50, "Defi Vendeen." Since we borrowed the stand from PRB and the formed top from "Defi," Stephane worked like crazy to get the cradle put together. It took a lot of diddling to get the boat safely supported to avoid any (more) dents or scratches. Also, a local boat building school has let us take the new boom inside their shop to finish and paint it. Way cool!

You will see the new boom soon... and I am SO jazzed as it weighs about 80 lbs. less than our old one along with being safer. BIG thanks to Ted Van Dusen of Composite Engineering (in Concord, Mass.) for the engineering assistance on my design.

More news.... click here to check out this nice bit in Mainetoday.com.

More soon, but right now I need to get some sleep for tomorrow!

This American team for the Vendee Globe is made possible by your donations to The Made in America Foundation (www.bruceschwab.com/support.cfm), and our supplier sponsors:

Coast-Line International: www.coast-lineintl.com
Doyle Sailmakers: www.doylesails.com
Equiplite lightweight connectors: www.equiplite.com
Infomatrix: www.infomatrix-usa.com
MAS Epoxies: www.masepoxies.com
Nobeltec navigation software: www.nobeltec.com
Portland Yacht Services: www.portlandyacht.com
Samson rope technologies: www.samsonrope.com
Solara Energy Systems: www.solaraenergy.com
WoodenBoat Magazine: www.woodenboat.com

Join our team: www.bruceschwab.com/sponsorship.cfm