The "Vendee Globe" is a single-handed, non-stop around the world race. The "Around Alone" is also single-handed but is in four legs. They are raced aboard the "Open 60" class boats, the world's fastest single-handed monohull sailboats.
With this advent of Internet coverage for these events, the worlds longest races can be experienced virtually "real time" as the sailors challenge the world's most dangerous waters.
American sailing fans are flocking to the sites like never before. National pride has been stirred by the stunning victory of an American crew in the Whitbread Race, a fully crewed race around the world. San Francisco Bay sailors Paul Cayard, Mark Rudiger and Kimo Worthington led that crew.
Our team is building a formidable U.S. challenger for Americans and the world to follow in the Vendee, Around Alone, and other "Open 60" races.Many West Coast sailors believe Bruce Schwab is the best choice to organize, build, and race a responsible, competitive, all-American yacht to win the "Around Alone" and the "Vendee Globe" Races.
"Wocket"* Construction
As of July 25, 1999, initial hull materials were ordered and hull construction will begin in September 1999.
Made in America to be completed at Svendsens Marine in Alameda California. Test sails and training to be held off the California coast before shipping "Wocket" to Europe for the start of transatlantic "Quebec/St. Malo" race on August 20, 2000.Transatlantic Quebec/St. Malo: August 20, 2000
This transatlantic race is a very popular and well-covered event. It will be used as the required transatlantic race to qualify for the Vendee Globe 2000.
Observed Transatlantic Qualifying Passage
The return trip to France for the start of Vendee Globe 2000 will be the official and additional qualifying passage. If weather conditions allow, this passage will be an attempt at the Single-handed Transatlantic West to East record.
Vendee Globe 2000: November 5, 2000
The Vendee is considered the most challenging race on earth. It is a single-handed, around the world, nonstop race. The intent of
Made in America is to finish and win the Vendee Globe 2000. The Made in America design concept has emphasized the durability of the yacht to ensure the safest racing yacht possible.It should be pointed out that this program is a 2.75 year effort. One benefit of the Vendee is that much data will be learned for the improvement of the yacht for the forthcoming events
After Vendee Globe 2000
Made
in America will then be shipped to San Francisco where promotional and VIP sailing events will take place. In the summer of 2001, Made in America will race in the Transpac Race. Over the fall of 2001, any necessary modifications and updates will take place. This will be with the intent to further optimize the yacht for The Gold Race and the Around Alone 2002/2003.Transpac 2001: July 2001
The Transpac Race to Hawaii is another well-covered and popular race.
Made in America will receive a lot of attention for competing in this event. It will also have the added benefit of attracting a growing American audience to the Made in America program and bring more attention in the U.S. press to the Team’s forthcoming races.The Gold Race: January 2002
This historical event raced from New York to San Francisco follows the path of the famous Clipper Ships to the Gold Rush in the 19th century. Several Open 60 Class yachts will be racing this event in order to be in California for the Open 60 Pacific Race in the summer of 2002.
Open 60 Pacific Race: summer 2002
The course and exact date of this race is yet to be finalized, but without a doubt, it will create increased American interest in the Open 60 Class and the upcoming Around Alone 2002/2003.
Around Alone 2002/2003: fall 2002
Although the Vendee Globe is perhaps more challenging (being nonstop), the Around Alone generates the greatest media excitement. With the start and finish in the United States, the connection to an American audience is more direct. Also, being raced in four legs presents more chances for exciting finishes at each foreign port.
By the time of the start of this race, tremendous anticipation and media coverage will have been generated, especially for the
Made in America Team