As of 10:00 French time, Skipper Rich Wilson and Great American III are approximately 32 miles from the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne. The skipper is currently estimated to cross the
Author: Erin Brochu
As of 18:50 GMT, March 9, Rich Wilson and Great American III are approximately 160 miles direct from the finish line at Les Sables d’Olonne. With the wind out of
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III Last week, the moon rose just after sunset, bright and full, flaunting its perfect geometry. Ringed as I am by 360 degrees of horizon,
It should be understood by all viewers of the Vendee Globe website, that because positions are taken from the boats four times per day, the course shown on the map
1635 UTC, 45/05 n 20/54 w, 11 knots @ 125T, solent, 2 reefs in the mainsail, approximately heading for Cape Finisterre. High pressure system is rotating on its axis and we should
Our downwind zigzag continues with the wind directly behind us on the route to France, so we must gybe back and forth, increasing the distance by nearly half to actually get there.
1151 UTC, 46/37N 32/31W, 11.3kts, 115T, staysail, 3 reefs in main, wind 25 knots west. When we rounded the high and then gybed north, we ended up due north of the center
1052 UTC, 44/09n 37/15w, solent, 3 reefs, broad reaching, 040T @ 9.5 knots. Yesterday was difficult. No wind in the 1042 millibar (mb) high in the morning. Turned off pilot.
March 1, 2009 – We came across the equator into the northeast trade winds, which are the southeastern quadrant of a high pressure system sitting variously in the mid-Atlantic. All the
by Scott Hamilton, Investment Advisor, Explorer When an expedition comes to an end, I don’t really miss much except for my comrades. There is a huge sense of relief when I
Heading north by a little west, trying to get to the high, to then get to other side for favorable westerlies. Sailing with staysail and three reefs in the mainsail. We
Reduced sail as seas and winds picked up a bit: solent to staysail to storm jib, one reef to two reefs to three reefs with 35 knots of wind now
1823 UTC, 32/26N 41/47W, 5.1 knots, @319T, solent and full main, broad reaching. Difficult 24 hours. As we weren’t making much progress, at 1-2 knots, thought best to try to
1711 UTC, 31/16N 41/16W, 2.5 knots, @315T. Heading away from France, trying to cross the high pressure ridge. After that, you have to look at the weather maps to see
2024 UTC, 28/33N 40/34W, 10.1 knots, 336 degrees. Weather patterns are not promising. As soon as we get to the high to wrap around, it dissipates, and a huge high
1830 UTC, 24/45N 39/24W , 9.1 knots, @3450T, staysail, 2 reefs in mainsail, hard on the wind, as always. Sadly, forecasts look even more difficult, as the high that we
by Lorraine Leo , Technology Teacher, Newton, Massachusetts Rich entered the Vendée Globe race in part for the challenge of the race, but mainly for the opportunity to create an
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III For Michel Desjoyeaux, success in the Vendée Globe is winning the race, which he has just done for the second time with an extraordinary
1254 UTC, 20/17N 38/16W, 11.1kts, 005T. Lift when all weather files say header, complicated weather forecasts, just trying to continue to go north, looks as though will need for high
2056 UTC, 17/42N 37/39W, 9.3kts @ 343T, 25 knots wind ENE. Thirty years ago I sailed downwind in the trades from the Canaries to Barbados. I was impressed by how steady
1917 UTC, 13/42N 36/09W, 11.9 knots, 347T, 35 knots across deck, staysail and three reefs in main. May reduce to storm jib for the night, as I have up too
1943utc 9/50N 35/23W, 9.1knots @ 340T, staysail, 3 reefs in mainsail, 20-25 knots ne wind. Finally into what I recognize as trade winds, cresting seas, blue water, blue sky, fluffy white clouds. On
2124 UTC, 6/13 N 34/36 W, 10.4 knots speed, compass at 346T, staysail, 3 reefs, keel full cant, 30 knots across deck, NE. Finally released from our private low pressure
Still going. We have our own private low formed off the Brazilian coast to bend the wind in a more adverse direction than even the northeast trade winds would be.
1928 UTC, 4/44S 32/42W, 11.1 knots, 032T, staysail and two reefs in the mainsail, 20 knots ese wind, squally on approach toward equator. Happy Valentine’s Day to all! Heading just
Question asked by Ghislaine: A-hoy it’s Primary 4/5 from St James’s Primary School in Paisley, Scotland are learning all about The Vendee Globe Challenge. Today we were learning all about
Question asked by Kira: Rich, in the ship’s log you wrote about thunderheads. What are they, and are they dangerous?- Kira from Carolyn Sheild’s classroom Answer: Thunderheads are huge clouds
Question asked by pruthvi: If you were to go to a school after the race what would you tell them? Answer: I’d talk about lots of things. I’d talk about
Question asked by Samanta: How bad do you miss your family and friends? If you could take one person with you, who would it be and why? Answer: I miss
Question asked by Jamie: Rich, How’s your mainsail holding up after 70+ days? Answer: Our mainsail is doing OK. So far so good. It is a much “beefier” sail than
Question asked by Carolyn: How long did you have to train for this race? What did you do to qualify for this race? – Erin Answer: Well, in a way,
Question asked by Carolyn: What is it like to wake up in the morning in the middle of the ocean? – Emma Answer: Dear Emma, When the seas are calm
Question asked by Carolyn: What are some things you have to keep in mind to survive out there? – Vishwesh Answer: Dear Vishwesh, There is a saying at sea: “One
Question asked by James: Are you familiar with or do you ever use a sextant to confirm your positions? Answer: We do have sextant aboard, yet so far I have
Question asked by Carolyn: What do the shore support crew do? I saw Brian Harris and Rick Williams listed on the web site, but wondered how they help you while
Question asked by Carolyn: Why do people’s dreams change as they get older? I’d bet that you didn’t dream of sailing in Vendée Globe when you were four years old.
Question asked by Scott: Hi Rich, Your journey is awe inspiring. In your logs you reference “ice gates” at various times. Just what is an “ice gate?” Best of luck
Question asked by Bill: I read your ships log daily. Can you explain what the following means: 2005utc 44/26s 118/41w Answer: Those numbers and letters that I put at the
by Rich du Moulin, Owner, Intrepid Shipping We all have to make decisions in our lives, many of them important to our friends, families, and ourselves. Rich has had to make
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III Prior to the start of the Vendée Globe race, there were hundreds of decisions made: which boat to use, which qualifying race to sail,
Question: What or who inspired you to enter the race? Answer: I’ve followed the Vendée Globe since it began in 1989, yet I never wanted to do the race. I
Question asked by Marie-Agnès: What do you find most difficult to cope with during this race, and on the other hand what do you most enjoy ? Answer: The pace
Question: My class would like to know what you do for entertainment. Answer: I have an iPod aboard, and I listen mainly to familiar rock-n-roll. Sometimes I listen to classical
Question asked by Rachael: Have you so far had any serious conditions about your boat? Answer: So far we’re doing pretty well; no serious problems. But there is a list
Question asked by Susan: Have you encountered any unusual marine life? asked by Mitchell Enrichment, Gadsden, AL Answer: Recently, we’ve had waves that wash over the boat and leave tiny
Question asked by BT: Hey Rich…BT here…How do you manage electricty for all of your needs: the auto pilot, email/videos, navigation instruments, lights, etc. Answer: Great American III has a Yanmar
Question asked by Stephanie: If you barely have time to sleep, then how do you have time to type all of the reviews? Answer: The logs, essays, Q&A that I
1500utc, 3/09S 34/33W, port tack. Heading east from Maceió, Brazil, but couldn’t quite fetch the coast. So at the 100 meter line, I tacked to go east for about 25
February 12, 2009 – A difficult day. About 12 hours in the middle of the day produced no significant mileage in the direction of France. About 4-5 hours in the middle
February 11, 2009 – Difficult day with shifting winds: 20 knots, 2 knots, east, northeast, north, southeast, black clouds with no wind. Ten sail changes today, all for naught, go 12
Question asked by Neal: I’m doing a project on Cape Horn. Do you have pictures or paintings of Cape Horn that you can send me? If you don’t have anything
Question asked by Neal: Two skippers talked about losing their keel. What is a keel and how does it work? And why is a broken keel so bad for a
Question asked by Neal: How does a sextant work? How does it tell you where you are? Can you use them on land? asked by Charles Answer: Answered by Dava Sobel,
Question asked by Neal: Are Rich’s sleeping patterns OK? asked by Neal Answer: Answered by Prof. Dava Newman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow The sleep pattern represented by
2147 utc, 16/48S 37/25W, 9.0 kts @ 016T, solent and one reef. A long day of trying to point high on starboard tack up the coast to clear some shoals, and
Question asked by Jennifer: Where did the maritime rule come from that you always go the aid of another mariner in trouble? Answer: Mariners have aided each other in times
Question asked by Neal: Where did you go to school, and why did you decide to become a doctor? Is being an emergency doctor harder than being a regular doctor?
February 9, 2009 – 0945 utc, 21/48S 36/23W, 8.5 kntos at 348T. Working very hard to get upwind and to where we can have a favorable wind angle. It is still
February 8, 2009 – Tacking dead upwind trying to get past Rio. To go into the high deep enough to get a good tack north would be many miles seemingly sideways.
February 7, 2009 – 1300 UTC, 26/38S 37/03 W, 8.5 knots, staysail, one reef, 20 knots of wind NNW, came through trough last night. If you haven’t seen a South American thunderhead,
By Dr. Ambrose Jearld, Jr. , Fisheries Biologist, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA As Rich sails across the world’s oceans he may see occasional sharks or whales, but he will
By Rich Wilson , Skipper, Great American III Each boat in the Vendée Globe is an example of resource management and depletion. We bring food, fuel, spare sails, spare electronics,
February 6, 2009 – A day late with the ship’s log. Great fatigue yesterday after a very long day. Had to replace the pilot steering linkage bolt again. This time with
2007utc, 30/17s 41/06w, 10.1knots boatspeed at 053T, staysail and 2 reefs in mainsail, wind SE at 20-25 knots, blue skies finally, barograph 1013 steady. Made good miles today in the
After getting hammered again last night, with 35-40 knot headwinds, storm jib and 3 reefs in the mainsail, crashing along, very bad for the boat, finally today, we had wind,
What a day. After yesterday’s recuperative opportunity, with shower, shave, and light winds, expected more through night. But no–the weather files were off by 100% again in wind velocity. Boat
What a difference a day makes! Crystal blue skies, sea down, wind down, drifting along first NE then tacked NW to get to new wind a bit earlier, had a
Felicitations, Michel! C’est incroyable, absolument incroyable! Quel navigateur! Je me souviens toujours quand vous m’a aide avec mes questions pour le soixante pieds, j’ai ecrit en Francais, et vous avez
January 31, 2009 – 2115utc 43/36S 51/42W, sailing away from France discouragingly. We’re trying to get to the other side of this massive low that is forecast to envelope the entire
by Captain Murray Lister Nature gives the world so many variations of force and climate. Think of the tides, rain, snow, wind, ice, hurricanes and typhoons. Let us now consider the
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III Take a globe. Center it in your gaze at 15° South latitude, 155° West longitude. Look at all that Pacific Ocean! The Pacific is huge,
Question asked by donna: How often does it rain in the rainforest? Answer by Dr Ioannis Miaoulis: Whether the rainforest is temperate or tropical, the frequency of rain depends on
Question asked by Jennifer: What kinds of activities do you do with your students for the Vendée? asked by Jennifer, 6th grade teacher Answer: Hi Jennifer, I choose one topic
Question asked by Lacella: My first question is how did you become a National Marine Fisheries Service worker? What do you do during your work time? Answer: When I was
Question: Does Rich have to do exercises on Great American III to stay in shape? asked by Erin Answer: Hi Erin, I have given Rich numerous exercises to do on
Question asked by Neal: My dad says that pirate still exist. Is that true? asked by Mitchell Answer Laura Mirabella: Your father is correct that pirates still exist. Just recently
Question asked by Neal: How good are the wind battery chargers on Great American III? Should we use something like them in our homes? asked by Jenna Answer: Skipper Rich Wilson
Question asked by Bethany: Have you been in outer space? What’s it like? Answer: I have not been in outer space on the Space Shuttle or up to the International
1926 utc, 45/53S 49/15W, 8.7knots @ 049T, staysail and 2 reefs in main, upwind, port tack, going into high. Studying multiple weather maps for when to tack to stay on
Question asked by Jennifer: Is it harder for Skipper Rich to sail this race because he’s older than the other sailors? Answer: This is an excellent question. Truthfully, there are
Question asked by Jesse: Can climate change affect the race? Answer: The answer is no and yes. The changes in the climate are slow enough that they don’t really show
Distance covered over last 24 hours: 202.9 nautical miles. 35-45 knots of wind across the deck. Storm jib up and 3 reefs in the main. 15-foot breaking seas. 10.5 knots
Sailed east of Falkland Islands. When saw a blue shading within the 200m line of depth on the southeast side of the islands, then on zoom, saw seaweed icons, did
2127 UTC, 53/09S 60/32W, 10 knots @ 055T, solent and 2 reefs in main, heading east of Falklands. Weather for tonight suggested it would be dead upwind to go West,
A big day. Great American III passed the longitude of Cape Horn at 1350 utc today. Thus “rounding” Cape Horn at 56/19S 67/15W. I didn’t think that we would see the island
On course for Cape Horn, 150 miles ahead. Solent and 2 reefs in the main, broad reaching. Being very conservative, considering where we are. Planning to go across the shelf
2120utc 55/04S 79/16W 9.3 knots @ 151T, solent and 2 reefs, gray gray gray, albatross flying around, barograph steady at 993mb, heading south as a bit more favorable within the
by Captain Murray Lister Rich Wilson and Great American III have passed below New Zealand, sighting the Auckland, Bounty and Antipodes Islands. The passage across the great Southern Ocean is currently being undertaken.
1800utc, 54/41s 96/09w, 10.9 knots @ 136degT, staysail and 3 reefs in main. Had solent and 2 reefs up when I saw the blackest line of squalls, so hurriedly put
Question asked by Carolyn: To Rich: I saw the food section on the web site and wondered: Do you ever get sick of eating the same food? What one food
End of day, 2345 UTC, 53/08S 89/45W, 6.2 knots@142T. Light winds all day today as a high pressure system smothers large area. Huge thunderheads, but further spaced apart than yesterday.
1725utc 50/41s 95/44w, 10.6 knots @ 122T, staysail and 2 reefs in the mainsail, sea reducing, cold, blue sky with squalls from time to time, reaching. Got two naps in
1630utc 49/04s 100/50w, 11.5knots @ 095T, 30-35knots wind, again, WNW, storm jib, 3 reefs in main, big, big seas. Last night, napped at chart table, athwartships in boat, on cushions
1327 UTC 46/22S 105/55W, staysail, 3 reefs, 20 knots wind, 11.1 knots speed, on course for Cape Horn waypoint south of Diego Ramirez Island. Finally into the westerly winds. Some squalls through
January 18, 2009 – Reached the East Pacific ice gate today. 1700 nautical miles to Cape Horn. We have pounded up to the ice gate in chaotic big seas and a
1746utc 44/29S 113/30W, 10.3 knots speed at 077T, storm jib, 3 reefs in main, beam reaching, 30-45 knots wind across deck, again. 154 nm to next ice gate. Boat taking terrible
by Ioannis Miaoulis , President and Director, Museum of Science, Boston Rich’s Ship Logs reveal an extraordinary variety of marine life including sea birds, porpoises, flying fish, tiny shrimp, and
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III Halfway around the world, through the Atlantic, Indian, and now Pacific Oceans, we have seen a diverse array of wildlife. Porpoises have played in the
2005utc 44/26/s 118/41w, wind 25-30 knots north and building, speed 9 knots, storm jib and 3 reefs in main, seas 15 feet and building. Earlier we sailed directly into the
2230 utc 45/46s 121/25w, 11 knots at 027T, storm jib and 3 reefs in the main. We are trying to get north, across the trough of the storm, and head
1108 utc 49/11s 128/48w 10.3 knots speed heading east , 25-28 knots SSE wind, staysail and 3 reefs. Distance traveled in last 24 hours: 176.8 nautical miles. Tried the storm jib
Wind hole at the start of the day, then the ominous dark of the low appeared over the horizon to the NW, very foreboding. As wind came in we followed
1651utc, 48/39S 136/31W, 6.2knots @ 135T, solent, 2 reefs, wind 8 knots SW. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 129 nautical miles. After making 10-11 knots since the ice gate, trying
1720 utc 47/08S 141/08W, 10.4 knots speed, staysail, three reefs, 25 knots SW wind. Running southeast to try to escape the worst of the coming storm. At the ice gate,
1813utc 46/01s 146/17w, 10 knots speed, 15 knots west wind, reacher and one reef, sailing deep, aiming directly at west end of west Pacific ice gate, plan to gybe immediately
by Captain Murray Lister Rich and Great American III continue their passage, currently South of Tasmania, Australia. These waters also have seen the wakes of hundreds of sailing vessels as the countries of
2310 utc 47/37S 151/01W, reacher and one reef, 14.2 knots speed, 20 knots west wind, going for west Pacific ice gate. There is an intense low located north of the
1734utc 48/08S 164/39W, 12 knots @ 093T, staysail and 3 reefs in the mainsail, seas down, 25 knots NNW wind, barograph 1023mb. Distance sailed in last 24 hours: 269.8 nautical miles.
175utc 48/03S 171/35W storm jib and 3 reefs in the mainsail, 30 knots N wind, speed 10.2 knots @ 090T for New Zealand ice gate west end. Miles covered in last
0745 utc 48/38S 178/28E 12.5kts boatspeed @074T, staysail, 2 reefs, 25 knots wind NW, moderate seas. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 258.9 nautical miles. We came a bit more
1146 utc, 49/56S 172/43E, staysail, 2 reefs, 20-25kts NW, speed 11.8 @ 067T Fast day downwind, now with the wind changing forward, fast again. Mostly solent and 3rd reef downwind
0848 utc 51/04S 165/19E 9kts, staysail, 3 reefs, awaiting frontal passage. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 217.9 nautical miles. Last night, on the other gybe, heading ESE, trying to get
by Capt. Murray Lister, Master, MV Cape York Rich and Great American III have passed The Cape of Good Hope and are now on passage across the Southern Indian Ocean, not being known
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III The midpoint of the voyage, estimated by time or mileage or geography, offers a symbolic chance for reflection on what we have accomplished, or not,
Janvier 2 2009, 0509utc 51/54S 158/26E 10.9 knots @ 106degT, staysail, 3 reefs in main, 25-30 knots sw wind, 15 foot seas building. Covered 268.4 nautical miles in the last 24
0530 utc 51/26S 150/59E, 11.6 knots at 085T, solent and one reef in the mainsail, SW wind at 20 knots. Earlier this morning, after a night of 15-18 knots of
12/31/2008 0828utc 51/17S 145/03E 11.0 knots at 100T, 17 knots wind SW, solent and one reef, SMOOTH SEAS. We’ve been making good time today, in the right direction, with little
Question asked by Katie: Have you seen any sharks? asked for Emma, age 4 Answer: Dear Emma, No I haven’t seen any sharks.The water is very cold here, and I
Question asked by Katie: Do you get to speak with your family back home in Massachusetts at all? If so, how often? Answer: Dear Katie, Yes, I speak with my
Question asked by Sarah: Where do you poop? Answer: Just like they did it in the old days: into a bucket and then over the side.
Question asked by Webmaster: Why did you want to sail? How long have you been sailing for? Kiri, Hawkesdale, Australia Answer: I started sailing when I was a young boy,
0646 utc 50/55S 137/38E, speed 11 knots, solent and 2 reefs in the mainsail, course 090T. Well the gales and the lows that have crushed us for a week are
0106utc 50/42S 130/41E, solent et deux ris dans la grande voile, 11.5 knots. Moving toward the East Australian ice gate. Despondent about Derek. After returning for repairs after the start,
0833utc 50/11S 126/55E 9 knots, storm jib, course 095T, gale still blowing, big, big seas still running. Can’t tell windspeed as our wind instruments have become erratic, but think in
by Marti Shea, Select Fitness When Rich started the race, he had a fitness plan in place to maintain his physical strength. When he broke his rib early in the race
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III The day before the start of the Vendée Globe I saw Yann Eliès riding on his bike, standing on the pedals, with his young
12/27 0315utc 49/35S 119/47 W, staysail, 11.7 knots. Awaiting next gale, should arrive in 6 hours, expected severe, will go to storm jib beforehand. Well it was inevitable, the being
1105utc we are at 48/54S 115/53E, making 10 knots with staysail only, in 35-45 knots of wind, yet again. Distance covered last 24 hours: 216.6 nautical miles. Cannot in my memory
1125 utc 48/14s 110/29e, 8.2 knots under storm jib awaiting new low. Distance covered during last 24 hours: 264.1 nautical miles. Thought would be very careful tonight, 40 knots now, baro
1046z 47/06s 105/08e. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 264.1 nautical miles. Passed west Australia ice gate this morning. 45-50 knots of wind again, for duration, grib files are off by
0500z 46/07s 97/289e, 11.7 knots @ 085degT, 20 knots wind west. Distance covered in past 24 hours: 248.9 nautical miles. Gybed this morning between two weather systems, en route to Western Australia
1905 UTC, 45/54S 95/02E, 10.9 knots speed 25 knots wind WSW, 11007 nm on log, solent and 3 reefs in the main. Big seas today with winds 30/35/40. Same as last
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III The turning mark in the Vendée Globe is Antarctica. We will not see this cold continent as we circumnavigate it, but we will be
46/30S 87/25E, 35-45knots wind, 3 reefs in mainsail, no jib, 11 knots speed at 055T. Distance covered the past 24 hours: 241.5 nautical miles. Hammered yet again, big seas breaking, barograph descended,
by Jan Witting, Faculty, Sea Education Association Rich is alone in an endless landscape of waves, traveling the world’s oceans with occasional sightings of seabirds, flying fish, and whales. For
by Rich WIlson, Skipper, Great American III In the last two days here in the Indian Ocean, we have been hammered by two severe storms with near-hurricane-force winds and mountainous
1300utc, 48/14S 81/15E, 25-30 knots west wind, making 12.9 knots at 065deg course True, solent and 2 reefs in the mainsail. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 201.9 nautical miles. Had
0918 UTC 46/51S 73/59E, 12.5 knots speed, 20 knots wind SW, Solent un ris dans la grande voile. Off the Kerguelen Plateau at long last, seas much smoother. Mini-front came through last
46/46/s 68/46E 1349 UTC 12/18/2008, 10 knots, staysail and 3 reefs in the main, 28-34knots wind, WNW, making E course. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 260 nautical miles. We were
Distance covered the last 24 hours: 246.3 nautical miles. Making fast progress with solent and 3 reefs in the main. Read Seb Josse’s account of using his reacher and 3
Question asked by Matthias: Hello everybody. Seeing Rich’s video, I wonder if these are buddhist prayer flags on the portside stern section? I wish you well, Matthias Steingass, Zuerich. Answer:
0817z 47/11S 53/43E, south east of Isles Crozet. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 186.3 nautical miles. The wind is down from its hear hurricane strength last night, and the leftover
No position 0930z (covered 255 nautical miles in last 24 hours), but I’m OK. Beacon problem i guess. Under storm jib alone, no mainsail, another 50 knots of wind not
45/26S 42/44E 0710UTC. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 139.4 nautical miles. Another day, another low pressure system in the Southern Ocean. Yesterday, the problem was that I had a plan
by Sam Scott, Associate Curator, Peabody Essex Museum Turn your globe on its head so that the continent of Antarctica is at the top. Notice the ring of ocean that
by Rich Wilson, Skipper, Great American III The turning mark in the Vendée Globe is Antarctica. We will not see this cold continent as we circumnavigate it, but we will be
The weather files said 30/35 knots, 40 in some place, we had 45-55 knots gusting 62, for 16 hours. Came through. Now we have another low lining up behind us.
Question asked by Ann: My students would like to know what you eat on the boat? Can you heat your food? How do you brush your teeth or shower? Answer:
Question asked by Ardross: When you’re very tired, it’s not safe to do many things such as drive a car. You do not seem to get much sleep so how
47/01S 32/52E, staysail and 3 reefs in main, course NE. Distance covered in past 24 hours: 275.4 nautical miles. Planned to gybe mid-late afternoon as the wind shifted before the front,
45/52S 27/50E, 13.4 knots, surging 12 to 20, in strong winds 30-35 knots gusting higher. Distance sailed in last 24 hours: 258.3 nautical miles. A low pressure system is forecast for
45/29S 21/13W, passed Cap de Bonne Esperance (Cape of Good Hope) this morning. Distance covered in last 24 hours: 214.8 nautical miles. Have shockingly beautiful sunny day, crystal blue sky, big
44/44S 15/08E, course 075T, 12.5 knots, 224.8 nautical miles sailed in past 24 hours. None of the files showed the flat calm this morning for a whole bunch of hours. Found
43/39S 10/58E, reacher and full main, heading SE at 11 knots with 20 knots of west wind; 222 nautical miles sailed in past 24 hours. Did two gybes after big starboard
41/33S 7/21E, 7031 nm on the gps log, making 10 knots SE. After the strong winds of the last few days, sandwiched between a high and low to create a good gradient,
by Skipper Rich Wilson, aboard Great American III In this race around the world, we will pass many places and peoples. Some will be nearby, as were Spain, Morocco, and the
At 1510 utc today, at 40 deg 20 min S and 01 deg 05 min E, 297.5 miles covered in past 24 hours, Great American III passed north of a point of
by Eric Wallischecke, US Merchant Marine Academy Although Skipper Rich refers to the land that he is passing as “invisible”, I think it really is the ocean that is invisible. A
38/36N 5/21W, staysail, 3 reefs, 12 kts, surges to 22 kts, 301.6 miles in last 24 hours. Had two exciting experiences in the last 24 hours. Last night, at 0230z, with
1400z, 36/45S 11/18 W, 296.2 nautical miles sailed in last 24 hours, 11.9 kts, surges to 20, staysail and 2 reefs in the main, 25-30kts wind, clear skies. Trying to
Received new coordinates for Kerguelen ice gate. Last night had a development. Normally, at 12+ knots, we have a low hum in the keel. At about midnight, suddenly there was a
Reacher and full main, trimming corner of the S. Atlantic high. After the doldrums, I figured that things would revert to normal (since the doldrums are so abnormal and unpredictable).
The boat goes well and the skipper also. The boat structure has a wave-focusing physic into the cabin, when the bow pounds down, the cabin, after a slighly delay, sledgehammers
Slept more last night, at the chart table, but with sleeping bag, boat rocketing along, the pain in my rib is stable/moderate. Had a big rainstorm in the middle of
By Dr. Chris Fanta, Brigham & Women’s Hospital While the challenges that Rich Wilson and the skippers of Vendée Globe face are enormous—managing a large sailing vessel by yourself, day after
By Rich Wilson, Aboard Great American III What better symbol could there be for the interconnectedness of the world than the Vendée Globe, a non-stop around-the-world sailing event? As a skipper
Way back at the start of the race, in the difficult conditions of a bad seaway six of the fleet, including us, missed a buoy that was supposed to be
This is a screenshot of MaxSea, a weather analysis and routing software program that many of the boats use. The red icon is Great American III. The two blue lines, southwest of
Le soleil brille, c’est un bel jour. Je suis arrete hier soir pour une heure et demi avec la grande voile pour fair une petite ajustment a la drisse. Je sais la
Today was an easy day for sail changes with only minor adjustments, but it was a difficult day for my back. Yesterday the pounding of the boat was so bad
95 miles to the equator. We thought that we’d escaped the doldrums yesterday, but that was not the case. On the weather maps you could see the pressure gradient chasing
I think that we’re through the doldrums, finally. Yesterday was a bad day. We sailed into the doldrums in the dark of the morning, under a cloud so black and foreboding
by Dava Sobel, author of Longitude Skipper Rich will soon cross the Equator, 0º latitude, the great dividing line between Earth’s northern and southern hemispheres. Having traveled from 46º30´N at the
by Rich Wilson, Skipper Great American III For a mariner, crossing the equator – the Line – is a major event. The tradition for a first-timer is an onboard ceremony where
Question asked by Dan: I noticed that the Great American III is made of carbon fiber. How does your vessel handle compared to similar vessels that are made of aluminum or any
Question asked by Webmaster: How did you prepare the race? asked by Gonçalo, 16, Azores, Portugal Answer: Dear Gonçalo, I love the Azores! I visited Horta in 2004. It is
by Captain Murray Lister, former Master, New Zealand Pacific Eighteen years ago Rich and I initially met when, on 22 November 1990, the first Great American capsized 400 miles West of Cape Horn
13/25N 24/31 W, about 100 nm south of Cape Verde Islands. Genaker (biggest jib) and one reef in the mainsail. Making about 11 knots in 16 knots of NE wind.
16/14N 22/19W, wind NE at 15, speed 10 kts, course 200deg, approaching ne islands of Cape Verde Islands. Went through the night last night with the reacher and a reef
by Dr. Brien Barnewolt, Chief, Department of Emergency Medicine, Tufts Medical Center Proper preparation is everything. On board Great American III Rich has an extensive first aid kit, and he knows
24/07N – 18/17W, 17 kts NE, boatspeed, 12 knots, spinnaker, full mainsail, autopilot. Changed from spinnaker to genaker last night at midnight when the wind dropped to 5 knots and the
26/35N 16/42W 7 knots north wind, spinnaker, full main, 8 knots, on course of 223degT. Last night, we sailed close aboard Gran Canaria Island in the Canary Islands. We sailed
by Laura Mirabella, Shipping Broker The maritime industry can be a challenging and rewarding field for women. Thirty years ago it was difficult for women to break into this industry. In
by Rich Wilson, Skipper Great American III Looking at our chart explains the parade of ships that I saw last nightby their lights, and heard the night before on our radar
28/40N 15/23W, 1520Z, 22kts wind at ENE, course 180T, at 14 knots, solent and 1 reef in mainsail. Heading to pass Gran Canaria Island in the Canary Islands just to
Question asked by Webmaster: What does he eat on the voyage, and does he do a lot of fishing at sea? asked by Timmy, Wakefield, MA Answer: We have planned
Question asked by Webmaster: How do you get fresh water? Asked by Steph, Hawkesdale, Australia Answer: We have a reverse osmosis desalinator on board that makes fresh water out of
Question asked by Webmaster: Are you nervous? Asked by Sara, 16, Azores, Portugal Answer: YES! There is nothing wrong with being nervous, it keeps me on my toes. It makes
Question asked by Webmaster: How do you go get to sleep? Asked by Lachie, Hawkesdale, Australia Answer: Sleep on this boat, in the four trans-Atlantic passages that I’ve done for
33/06N 14/01W, Wind NE @ 18 kts, boatspeed 12 kts. Worked considerably today on the autopilot setups. This race is between sailors, but also between boatbuilders, sailmakers, riggers, and the
Wind is North at 17 knots, barometer is 1028mb and slowly dropping, boats speed is 10-13 knots, sails are reacher and full main. Last night I rolled up the solent
As the cold front approached the fleet, there were periods of intense rain. Before the front, there were forecast to be 40-45 knots of wind. These appeared. With big seas,
The winds at the start had been predicted for 10 days to be very strong and building. My great shore crew got off into our rented inflatable after hugs all
Nov 9, 2008 At the boat by 7:30 am, we had been given special tags to get through the police barriers which blocked certain roads near the port. At 7am,
by Rich Wilson, Skipper Great American III The Vendée Globe race instructions state simply: start at Les Sables d’Olonne (France), leave Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) to port, leave Cape
by Dr. Dava Newman, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems My motto for teaching aerospace biomedical engineering at MIT is “Love, Act, Discover, and Innovate”, and this motto has
Question asked by Neal: In one of your articles, you said that you don’t get to go to sea much anymore. Why? And what do you like about going to