2004-2005
Home > Journals > 2004 – 2005: Vendée Globe
Ocean Planet Vendée Globe Update:
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Position 22 48N, 31 35W, @ 11:36 UT
Never REALLY Alone…
Throughout this crazy race, I have received countless fantastic emails of support from the United States and all over the world. Among the best of these are the emails from young fans, and among the very best of those are some from a couple of very young kids in France. Two in particular, Alice and Melissa have become regular “pen pals.”
Over the past few days my spirits have struggled, just as we physically struggle against strong headwinds, as I think about financial realities facing us at the finish. But, when I get an email like the following from the young Alice in France, how can I not feel better?
“Hello Bruce.
How are you? Winds are better now? I listened to your vacation* today and they say “BRAVO” because you do a good race. Before the start, people thought that your boat couldn’t go around the world… they made a mistake. You can be very PROUD Bruce even if the race is not finished. Me, I ALWAYS TRUST in you Bruce. So, Good Wind until the arrival.
Have a good day, good night, you and all the crew aboard…
See you soon.
Alice
*(Note: the “vacation” is the Iridium phone interview with the race center)
In fact, today a very excited Alice was brought by her parents to the race center in Les Sables, and when the Media center did today’s interview, they put her on the phone! You MUST listen to her statement that she had for me. You should be able to download it on the official Vendee website at www.vendeeglobe.fr/uk!
There are a couple more days of dead upwind in our future, then things improve as there is the possibility of cutting south underneath a small depression forming off the coast of Africa. Some off the wind sailing would be nice to have again, even if for a few days.
Apparently, there are a lot of Ocean Planet supporters getting ready to come to Les Sables and join the town for our arrival! I guess I’m not the only one who is excited about finishing this race…;-) Perhaps I will see YOU there?
Bruce Schwab, Skipper
USA 05/Ocean Planet