“Reeech, Reeeech…” they shout. And Rich Wilson invariably emerges from the cabin of Great American III, where he’s been sorting out about 100 things on his pre-race to-do list, to sign autographs and talk to the the kids in French.
Rich Wilson knows his real audience. He visibly lightens up when school kids congregate at Great American III’s stern.
“On this race we have 26 different newspapers all across the USA which will publish a 15 part weekly series, all under contract. We have five more newspapers which will promote the program on line. We will get to six million readers for the weekly pieces 250,000 – 300,000 school kids participating, and a 60 page teachers’ guide,” he says.
Rich will spend the better part of the next 100 days in and out of his cabin, holding on for dear life, as his Open 60 design monohull is battered by the storms he knows that are lurking in the ‘doldrums’ then surfs wildly down the huge swells of the southern ocean on his way around Antarctica.
To the spectators on tbe docks, the 30 skippers who qualified for the Vendée Globe race are demi-gods, super stars of the seas. Dee Caffari (GBR), skipper of "Aviva" , signs...
The French love the sea, the drama, and the preposterous nature of this race, sailors hurtling around the world on unpredictably turbulent seas in their sailboats constructed with carbon fiber and dreams.
The race was founded by a Frenchman, Philippe Jeantot. Of the thirteen racers who qualified for the first race in 1989, only seven finished - all Frenchman, including Loick Peyron (now with more gray hair but no less a fire to win this race).
Every previous race (1989, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004), and now this one, has had a predominantly French lineup. Think of it as a NASCAR event on the water and having a chance to chat with one of the drivers on the day before the race.
Everyone is in awe of these men and women - such as Samantha "Sam" Davies of "Roxy" (GBR), trying out her foul weather gear.
It is regarded as the ultimate in ocean racing. When you get close enough to a skipper like America's "Reech" Wilson, get his autograph, and have a chance to wish him "Bon courage!", you are one very happy kid.
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
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