MEDIA ALERT



Bruce Schwab / Ocean Planet



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Tami Kennedy

207-838-0816





Bruce Schwab About to Make Solo Sailing History



PORTLAND, MAINE (February15, 2005) – American sailboat racer Bruce
Schwab is a week away from the finish line of the Vendee Globe around
the world race.



Schwab anticipates he will complete the Vendee on or about Thursday,
February 24, making him the first American to officially complete this
European dominated race.



He has less than 1,500 miles to go aboard his boat Ocean Planet, an
innovative all-American racing yacht christened in April 2001 by British
solo sailing superstar Ellen MacArthur.



“It was quite an honor to have Ellen's blessing for our boat,” reflected
Schwab. “At the time, she had just finished 2nd in the 2001 Vendee and
set the sailing world on its ear!”



Schwab is expected to finish 9th, placing him in the top half of the
original 20 skippers who lined up for the start.



Americans are following Schwab from nearly every state in the nation and
are on the edge of their seats anticipating the historic first official
American finish of this epic race. Schwab receives countless emails
every day from fans, young and old. Dozens of classrooms are also
following the race through Schwab's educational partnership with the
world-famous Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in West Boothbay
Harbor, Maine.



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EXCERTS FROM FAN E-MAIL:



Thank you immensely for your efforts and inspiration....Your classy and
gentlemanly performance in this truly international race has been a
blessing....how about entering the race for the presidency. You have
been a wonderful diplomat to the world.



-- Paul from Washington state
****



I've been following your adventures for years, and am a big fan. There
is a contingent of ice boaters here in Montana closely following your
progress, and rooting for you.



-- John from Montana

****



Your epic voyage has been an inspiration to me and my sons. You have
exhibited exceptional courage in this quest, and served as a heroic
example of what Man's relationship with the Sea can be.

-- Dave, Andrew (5 yrs.), and Anthony (2.5 yrs.) from California



***

We are proud of you and all that you are accomplishing. I am sure your
will be thrilled when you finally cross the finish line. I will be glad
for you too.....but I will miss being out there with you. Thanks for
taking me along

-- Michael from Maine

***



I've been following the race since the beginning…I have been fully
engrossed: my wife fears I am obsessed and will go to pieces once it is
over….I just wanted you to know how much I admire your spirit and that
of the others. You, especially, might consider a post-Vendee Globe
vocation of purveyor of optimism and good cheer.

-- Peter from Connecticut

***



I’m not a traditional sports fan….For you to compete so soundly in a
boat you helped design and find funding for is really neat. Have you
indeed found an awakening of
interest in solo sailing from the American public because of your
participation?


-- Chanda from North Carolina

***



I recently read an article about you and then went to your website. I
just want to say that I think you are an outstanding individual and an
inspiring human being.

-- Woody from Massachusetts

***

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Read Schwab’s personal journal:
http://www.bruceschwab.com/news_hldr...ws_default.cfm



Discover more about the Vendee:

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/uk/home



Ocean Planet / Bigelow Lab education program:

http://www.bigelow.org/vendeeglobe/



Read about MacArthur’s christening of Ocean Planet – April 19, 2001

http://www.boats.com/content/default_detail.jsp?contentid=13685&WebLogicSession =QhCxuj981YnuG0OxP1tA2gyfI4XOJxf0m1CVQBC0Y2ACoGmIM oWs|2200725497203563860/170924117/6/7001/7001/7002/7002/7001/-1



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