Vendée Globe

Nationality : American Lives in Oakland, California, USA Age : born on the 5th April 1960 in California Situation : Single Vendée Globe achievements 1st time he has taken part in the Vendée Globe

Sponsor

The first one?

Bruce Schwab got involved in yachting at an early age. With his parents, he sailed across the waters of Washington State, in the Caribbean, off Mexico and California. He has also covered every inch of the Bay of San Francisco over the last twenty years. A professional rigger, Bruce affirmed himself in this area as THE reference in his country. His taste for innovation and his attention to every detail could hardly go unnoticed. As for racing, Schwab is a member of the SSS, the Single-Handed Sailors of San Francisco and the Encinal Yacht Club. He has won practically all the single-handed races off the West coast of America, including the Transpac, in 1996, aboard the famous yacht « Rumbleseat », a 1930´s yacht, which he modified and completely overhauled himself. He carried out a lot of work on the rigging, setting up a system that was both powerful and simplistic, and which was the perfect solution for single-handed ocean racing.

The American also revealed his skill as a skipper or watch leader in many races in Pacific waters. Among his achievements, he won the Pacific Cup in Hawaii in 1998 and has amassed five victories in the San Francisco - Farallone Islands. In the following year, he set up the "Made in America Foundation" with the help of a group of supporters with the aim of raising money to build a Open 60 footer, which would be 100% American. "Ocean Planet" was thus launched on the 7th April 2001. With this boat, the American, who originates from Oakland, California has already taken part in Around Alone, the single-handed round the world race with stopovers, that he completed in 5th place. He has already covered more than 60 000 miles getting the boat ready for this new challenge. This great sportsman, (who has also wrestled, boxed and cycled) hopes to be the first American officially to finish the Vendée Globe and hopes that with his participation, the event will become better known on the other side of the Atlantic.

2001/02 - Aboard Ocean Planet
Around Alone : 5th
2000 - Pacific Cup (as part of a crew) : 1st
1998 - Trans-Pacific (as part of a crew) : 1st
1996 - Trans-Pacific (single-handed) : 1st
1994 - Farallones (single-handed) : 1st
1984/2001 - Farallones (as part of a crew) : 5 times winner

Bruce expected at 7 o´clock > Read
A hard day’s night for Bruce Schwab > Read
Bruce Schwab > Read

Two races in one > Read
What exactly is going to happen today 7th November 2004? > Read
1 day to go: the pressure rising > Read
The gang of newcomers > Read

Bruce Schwab (Eng) > Listen Bruce Schwab (Eng) > Listen Bruce Schwab (Eng) > Listen