Rich has known Hugues and Flo Riousse for years. They arrived at Les Sables d'Olonne from their home in France as soon as Great American III did and have been mainstays in readying GAIII for sea. Hughes actually worked on boats Rich's father owned. Quiet and knowledgeable, they are fonts of knowledge, cultural and nautical. In response from one of my dozens of questions, Flo eplained how France is divided into 22 administrative regions, each subdivided into 'departments. Les Sable d'Olonne is in the Pays-de-la-Loire region and in the department of Vendée.
Rick Williams, chief technical advisor, weighs in on every aspect of Great American III's readiness: sails, computer systems, hardware. He's worked with Rich in previous sailing campaigns, knows how the skipper wants things done and makes it happen.
He's had thousands of miles of cruising and racing experience on multi-hulls and monohull sailing vessels...a good man for Rich to bounce ideas off and listen to
Dianna Fletcher - in charge of publicity for Great American's historic challenge. From the press rooms to the pontoons during race week, Dianna tried to capture everything and everyone on her camera.
"Trip" Lowell (L) , longtime friend of Rich's, was ready to do anything anytime. He hauled equipment, loaded supplies, scrubbed the decks - a one-man committee getting things done that needed to be done...like testing a harness for going up the mast.
Bill Griffen, USMC, retired, and Rich were deeply moved as they read a email from Jacques Adelee. In honor of the November 11th anniversary of Armistice Day, two days after the start of the Vendée Globe race, Adelee offered to bring Rich one of the flags he uses to decorate graves of American servicemen who died in WWII in one of the cemeteries in France.
Griffen watches an emotional presentation as Jacques Adele, accompanied by his wife Nadine, presents the flag to Rich on November 8th, one day before the race commences.
Ellen Stone sorts food for the race. Rich is provisioned for 120 days. A skilled organizer and trusted confidante, she's assembled a packet of 'inspirational readings' Rich can pull out of a packet when he needs a 'pick me up.' In a race of this magnitude, every skipper will have days he/she needs such a packet. Rich loves poetry. He can recite "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" on cue.
Three of the "Big Boys," supporters of Great American III, with Ellen Stone: Robert Shotwell, John Scolley, and Bill Metcalfe.
Scott Hamilton, another "Big Boy" who's come to see Rich off, presents him with a string of Tibetan Prayer flags. The five colors represent the five classic elements: Space, Air, Water, Fire, Earth. The four animals representing the four cardinal directions are drawn in the corners and the Wind Horse in the center of each flag. As they flutter into tatters, they carry the prayers to the heavens.
Bob Shotwell presents Rich with an all-purpose "Leatherman", a toolbox-in- the-pocket gizmo that will tied to Rich's belt for the next three months!
Calories! Chocolatier Patrick Gelencser's business card was a cannister of chocolate (in Rich's left hand) he and his two sons delivered to each skipper. It will be a miracle if any is left by race's end.
Nonnie Burnes, Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner, and Rick Burnes, Co-Founder and Partner of Charles River Ventures, are Rich's long time friends. Avid sailors, they understand full well the challenge Great American III faces in the coming months.
Thierry Dubois comes to wish Rich good luck. Dubois sailed the Open 60 now known as Great American III in the 2000 Vendée Globe.
Brian Harris, General Manager of Maine Yacht Center in Portland, Maine, was in charge of refitting Great American III. The yard rebuilt the boat's bow, modified its canting keel, and installed all new electronics, a new navigation system and a new engine.
Family support! "Les Soeurs," Rich's three sisters, Anne, Eleanor, and Sarah, with friend Margaret McGovern (taking photo of pt in action), helped send Rich off.
As did John and Leezy Sculley.
Bill Metcalfe is about to set Great American III loose on its greatest adventure yet...
which sets off a flurry of everyone taking pictures of everyone else!
Neal Skorka, an unseen presence, has been the captain of Rich's website www.sitesalive.com for years.
And pt at large has been scribbling notes, hanging out in the Vendée Globe press room, and taking pictures all week!
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
Comments