2001
Home > Journals > Around Alone
For Release January 30, 2001
NEW U.S. SAILING CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE OCEAN AWARENESS MESSAGE
Revolutionary Sailboat to Pursue Global Race Schedule
OAKLAND, CA – In an unprecedented effort to raise global awareness of the marine environment, the Made in America Foundation announced today the naming of its new Open-60 class yacht Ocean Planet. Skipper and Foundation head Bruce Schwab of Alameda, California will sail Ocean Planet against a fleet of international competitors in some of the world’s most punishing ocean races. The ultra slender, streamlined yacht is nearing completion at Schooner Creek Boat Works in Portland, Oregon.
“Our new name reflects the interests of generous contributors Kevin and Shauna Flanigan,” said skipper and Foundation President Bruce Schwab. “Ocean Planet also recognizes hundreds of grass-roots supporters and contributors who share our respect and love for the world’s oceans. While the sea offers the sailor’s toughest challenges, it is also a fragile resource.”
Open-60 class yachts are designed for single- and shorthanded-sailing, and are capable of speeds up to 30 knots, or almost 35 miles per hour. Ocean Planet was designed by Tom Wylie, a San Francisco-based naval architect celebrated for his fast, innovative yacht designs.
Ocean Planet is the only state-of-the-art Open 60 racing sailboat under construction in the U.S. The boat will be among the lightest and fastest in its class ever built. The yacht will join the grueling schedule of international yacht races for Open 60s later this year.
Viewing the Yacht:
Ocean Planet is scheduled for launch and christening on March 1 in Portland, Oregon. Her racing debut will be the popular Singlehanded Farallones Race off San Francisco on April 14. The public can view the visually stunning sailing machine as the feature attraction at Pacific Sail Expo in Oakland, April 18-22.
Background:
Ocean Planet Skipper Bruce Schwab is a resident of Oakland, California. He is a professional sailboat rigger with a highly successful racing record. His wins include victory in the 1996 San Francisco-Hawaii Singlehanded Transpac race aboard Rumbleseat, a beautiful 1930-vintage sailboat he modified himself.
In 1999, he was awarded the Arthur B. Hansen Award from the U.S. Sailing Association for his rescue of a sailor during the previous year’s Doublehanded Farallones Race off the coast of Northern California.
The Made In America Foundation is a non-profit organization developing opportunities and providing inspiration for American amateur and junior sailors to participate in international single-handed and short-handed sailboat racing events.
More information on Ocean Planet and The Made in America Foundation can be found at: WWW.OCEANPLANET.ORG