2005

Home > Journals > 2005: After the Vendée Globe

Ocean Planet Vendée Globe Update:
Wednesday, March 8, 2005
From Les Sables d’Olonne and Nantes, France

The biggest fans

The most gratifying thing for me about the Vendee Globe has been seeing the faces of the kids who have followed Ocean Planet around the world.

On March 17th I will be in Brunswick, Maine to meet some of the U.S. students that were in contact with me during the race, then I will be visiting the Maine Wooden Boat Builders show at Portland Yacht Services, March 18-20 (www.portlandcompany.com/bshow.html). See you there?

Yesterday and today I visited two of the schools in France that have become friends of Ocean Planet. Yesterday was College Monnet near Les Sables, where I had also visited before the race. It was great see them again.

Today was a trip to the city of Nantes, to the Ecole St. Dominique School where they also gave me a fantastic reception!

It is amazing to see how thoroughly involved in the race these kids have been. Actually, I have been overwhelmed, and am still really trying to get my head around all of this. It will take some time to really absorb it all.

Yesterday I also was able to welcome Anne Liardet for her finish of the Vendee. Since all of us skippers know what we have been through, it is an honor to acknowlege in person what they have accomplished!

Bruce Schwab, Skipper
USA 05/Ocean Planet