Around Alone

2002-2003

 

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Around Alone 2002 – 2003

 Newport – Brixham – Capetown – Tauranga – Falklands – Salvador – Newport

“While I certainly don’t recommend around the world sailing as a smart career move, I do recommend taking an impossible dream, visualizing it, and making yourself believe that you can do it if you work hard enough. It may turn out to be even harder than you originally thought. You may come across huge stumbling blocks that seem insurmountable. You may not get quite the results you expected, but if you just don’t quit you can make something amazing happen. And in how you overcome the obstacles and setbacks that you didn’t expect, you will find out more about yourself and what you can do than you thought you would. What will surprise you is that this is one of the best parts of the whole adventure.” – Bruce Schwab, March 19, 2003 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

 

“This was Bruce’s first solo circumnavigation and for a skipper who has long dreamed of a single-handed passage around the world it was the culmination of a huge team effort. Once Schwab decided to enter the race and build a boat it has been non-stop fundraising and sailing, but all that hardship fades into a distant memory replaced by the excitement and satisfaction of completing the voyage. It had not been easy trip around the planet. After a great first few days to the circumnavigation the boom on Ocean Planet broke mid-way across the Atlantic. Schwab was able to muster the funds to buy a new boom for Leg 2, but was forced to start a day behind the rest of the fleet. On Leg 4 he broke the new boom forcing a stop in the Falkland Islands. Some of the mechanics on Ocean Planet are less than conventional and Bruce was still dealing with teething problems right up until Cape Horn. He now has a long list of improvements he can make to the boat should he find funding for the Vendee, and we look forward to seeing how well the boat can perform once it’s finally finished. “Ocean Planet is a work in progress,” Bruce is fond of saying.

Congratulations Bruce. You have impressed us with your tenacity and determination. Your boat looked spectacular as it sliced through the water tonight looking no worse for wear after its long passage around the world.”
— Brian Hancock