2005

Home > Journals > 2005: After the Vendée Globe

Ocean Planet update,

Monday, Oct 3, 2005

Off to France again!

One of the most rewarding parts of racing the Vendee Globe was the opportunity to promote French-American relations. Of course it was in our own small way, but I’ll never forget the hundreds (thousands?) of schoolkids on the pontoon to greet me and Ocean Planet. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

What to do with such memories and goodwill? Put it to work!

So, I will be going to France Oct 22-29 to accompany a special business development trip with the Maine International Trade Commission (MITC). Our group will include the Governor of the State of Maine, John Baldacci. There are several receptions/meetings already scheduled in Paris and Lyon, and I am working to see if I can help arrange more. If you have connections in France and are interested in meeting the Trade Commission group, please contact me at bruce@bruceschwab.com.

Hopefully we will be successful in connecting business people and government representatives from France and Maine, with the intent of producing relationships that could mutually beneficial. Who knows? Certainly can’t hurt to try! And of course along the way I am hoping to develop relationships to help our Ocean Planet mission.

More travel:

Ocean Planet is being hauled out this week to prepare for our winter trip to Florida. Crew slots are filling up fast! Next Friday/Sat/Sun (Oct 7-9) I will be at the Annapolis Boat Show to meet and greet friends at the Ocens booth. Come by to say hi or talk about Iridium communications and Ocens weather access software and systems. It will also be my chance to check out the new Wyliecat 44 which will be at the show! I helped Tom Wylie with the initial concept of this boat before I went around the world….it will be great to see how it has turned out.

Hope to see you there!

Bruce