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THOMPSON — April 18, Marianapolis will welcome guest speaker Bruce Schwab, a sailor and two-time solo circumnavigator. In honor of Earth Day, Schwab will talk and show footage of his solo trips sailing around the world, including being the first American in history to officially finish the famous, non-stop Vendee Globe race. Schwab will speak at 9:10 am in the school’s Chapel; the public is welcome and the presentation is free.
Schwab’s story is one of perseverance, mental fortitude and physical endurance. After winning many crewed, double-handed, and solo sailing races, including the 1996 Singlehanded Transpac aboard Rumbleseat, he oversaw the design & building of the all-American Open 60 OceanPlanet. After completing his first circumnavigation in the 2002/2003 Around Alone Race, he came to Portland, Maine to refit OceanPlanet for the 2004/2005 Vendee Globe Race (solo, nonstop, around the world). During the race Schwab operated the OceanPlanet Foundation as an educational forum, as thousands of students and sailors followed the boat and expanded their knowledge of sailing. On February 25, 2005, Bruce became the first American in history to officially finish the Vendee Globe, and currently holds the American solo circumnavigation record of 109 days and 20 hours. Drawing on his experiences as a life-long marine services professional, he travels to schools to talk about the health of our oceans, and our obligation to preserve this vast resource.