Vendee
Globe Update:
Monday, February 28, 2005
From Les Sables d'Olonne
109
days
Race
time: 109 days, 19 hours, 58 minutes, 57 seconds.
(The record now for an American solo, nonstop circumnavigation)
 Over
the past several years, I have stubbornly struggled to achieve the
impossible fantasy of finishing the legendary Vendie Globe race.
During this time, I had heard several times that the reception the
finishers receive in Les Sables is really something. But never could
I have possibly imagined the magnitude of the tumultuous greeting
that was given to me and Ocean Planet on Friday, February 25, 2005
after 109 days at sea.
Early
on a very cold, but beautiful morning, we approached the finish
with great anticipation:
 Despite
the cold there were many of our enthusiastic supporters out on the
press boats, whooping it up for the last couple of hours as we reached
the end of the journey. Minutes before the line, we were enveloped
in a cold fog that added a bit of mystery and suspense, but nothing
could stop the feeling of accomplishment that I felt as my finishing
time blasted over the radio and the blasting of horns began.
We
moored on a buoy outside the harbor for a few hours waiting for
high tide before entering the channel. At 1500 local time, we released
our mooring, and began our way down the channel. Nothing could have
prepared me for the next several hours...
 THOUSANDS
of people lined the channel as we slowly paraded into the harbor
amid deafening horns, cheering, and bell ringing! It was UNBELIEVABLE!!
This was just the beginning!
When we arrived at the pontoon, it was nearly sinking with hundred
of kids chanting "we love Bruce," along with all the reporters,
officials, and everyone else. What a scene.
After
spraying everyone within range with champagne, I was then brought
up on an outdoor stage for the first press conference:
 This
part finished with rocking out on the stage with about a hundred
kids to a tune that I had previously selected by a local musician,
"Stephan Kolodiez." What fun!
Then
it was inside to an absolutely PACKED auditorium for the next press
conference. I was joined on stage by two special friends of Ocean
Planet, Alice and Melissa, two young French students who sent me
great emails for the entire trip around the world. They also had
been aboard for our trip down the channel! This finished with my
playing a tune on the guitar (by popular demand....) and with our
entire team onstage.
 We
did it! Yes,
I mean WE! Ocean Planet carried a lot more hopes and dreams around
the world than those of my own!
My thanks go out to all
of YOU who have supported to this dream in so many ways, especially
the Ocean Planet Official Supplier Sponsors and partners of our
Ocean Sciences program! There are countless others that have made
this possible.... stay tuned for more updates about them and upcoming
special shows I will be doing about this once in a lifetime adventure!
 Why
did I race the Vendée Globe? I hardly remember what started
me on the path, but now I truly know why. It is hard to explain,
but perhaps the faces of Alice and Melissa who followed me around
the world will begin to give you the idea...
Thanks
to all,
Bruce
Schwab, Skipper
USA 05/Ocean Planet
Web: www.bruceschwab.com
Education: www.oceanplanet.org
Email: bruce@bruceschwab.com
Phone: 843-670-6582
 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
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