Marblehead man crosses finish line in around-the-world race
The Vendee Globe released this video of Rich Wilson's arrival today in Les Sables d'Olonne, France.
By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff
A Marblehead man has crossed the finish line at a French port after racing around the world alone for four months on a 60-foot boat, braving storms and enduring isolation, injuries, and sleepless nights.
 Wilson smiled near the finish line |
Rich Wilson, 58, completed the Vendee Globe yacht race at 8:43 a.m. at Les Sables d'Olonne, the race organizers reported on their website. His journey of more than 28,000 miles took 121 days, 0 hours, 41 minutes, and 19 seconds. Wilson smiled while sailing in as he was greeted by boats carrying family members, spectators, and the media.
Wilson was the race's oldest skipper and became only the second American to finish the grueling race.
"I've sailed three solo transatlantic races and this boat across the Atlantic one time. … So I know that it's hard but I don't think anyone can anticipate this. It's very difficult after – I'm sure when I get back to the United States, there will be people who will want me to come and give a talk. How can you explain this? I don't know," he said at a post-race news conference.
Piloting the 60-foot racing yacht Great American III, Wilson started out Nov. 9. He is the ninth sailor to cross the finish line. But at least he finished the race, which some consider the Mt. Everest of sailing. Stormy weather or equipment problems knocked out 19 of the 30 boats that began the race.
The boats started in Les Sables d'Olonne, headed south past Africa, then traveled along the bottom of the world passing the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn before turning north and crossing the Atlantic on their way back to France.
Asked at the news conference if he ever thought he might not make it, Wilson recalled the stormy beginning of the race, saying, "The first night, there were four boats that broke. It cannot be described, even if you're a sailor, what sailing these boats upwind in a sea is like. They take such abuse. I was wearing a helmet all the time on deck and I would sometimes wear it down below in the cabin … It's like a continuous car crash."
"So often I could not believe the boat could survive, but it did," he said.
He also said there were some shaky moments as he approached land today. "It was panic. There's only half a mile to the land and it's blowing 30 knots. You have to control the boat somehow. You're not finished. If you don't get this boat organized in the next two minutes, it's going to be on the rocks."
Asked whether he had any good days during the voyage, Wilson recalled a dangerous climb up the boat's mast, quipping, "There were good days. It was a good day when I climbed the mast and got back down safely." He also recalled being in contact by satellite telephone with a fellow competitor as they both sailed through the Indian Ocean.
"It seemed like we had gale after gale after gale after gale, and we talked through them. It was very good -- and disappointing when he had to retire and I had to face the Pacific alone," he said.
He said he had never thought about quitting, crediting some of his determination to growing up with asthma as a child for years when there was no medicine for the condition.
"I think in a strange way that was useful, because you can't stop. If you go out to play a sport, you can't stop. And it's hard to breathe, but you can't stop. So there's some level of perseverance or tenacity that came from that, I think," he said.
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Congratulations Rich! From your friends at Atlantis WeatherGear
Congratulations - the bar is open!
Congrats on a remarkable journey and achievement!
What great news! Congratulations!
Really impressive!! Great accomplishment!!
that is WAY cool dude! go you!
Congratulations. What an incredible accomplishment.
Must be nice to have that much money that you feel the need to pretend you are a modern day Ferdinand Magellan to try to get people to pay attention to you. "Look at me! I just raced around the world in my 60 foot yacht with every imaginable modern technological convenience known to man!"
Yippee!
A great story- congratulations to Mr. Wilson on this achievemen!
Who in the wide wide world of sports CARES?!
Kudos Mr. Wilson. It's unfortunate though, that people that lack the courage to take on the sea on a solo basis feel the need to criticize. I admire your tenacity and, dare I say it, "True Grit". Mother Ocean is unforgiving if you make any mistakes, celebrate Mr. Wilson. You've earned it.
I've followed the Vendee Globe (and Rich) since the race began in November. Rich is an inspiration to all people who strive to push the limits of human endurance. I've sailed all my life and cannot imagine the strain of 4 months at sea all alone. Good on the Globe for covering something other than mainstream American sports. Rich deserves all the coverage he can get. By the way, two women finished 4th and 6th overall. Another milestone.
Also, the Volvo Ocean Race around the world comes to Boston in late April. Beats worrying about the Patriots this time of year by a mile.
I'm really happy to see this story about Rich and the Vendee Globe! What an exciting four months it was to follow Rich and the other skippers day in and day out. This race had everything! This is sport of the highest order. There cannot be too many accolades nor too much applause for Rich Wilson!! His tenacity during these 120 days was an inspiration ...and what a gracious speech (in French) to those who greeted him in Les Sables d'Olonne today. Nice ending!
Congratulations from overseas (France) ! This race is the hardest ever and to finish it is proof of courage and determination.
Rich Wilson is not, as some posts imply, a rich man simply seeking attention. He puts his heart and soul into his sailing and uses it a teaching tool for many children who have followed his adventures over the years. He is an inspiration to people with asthma and other illnesses to push their personal limits.. He is able to do what he does by virtue of shear tenacity and the help of sponsors who value his determination and make the opportunities possible. Congratulations Rich on your latest accomplishment and we look forward to the next.
Truly amazing! To be the skipper, master plumber, mechanic, electrician, crew, navigator, author, webmaster, self-motivational therapist, etc. in a solo, non-stop race around the world in some of the harshest environments is an achievement most of us cannot even begin to appreciate!
Thank goodness for his sitesAlive and the Vendee Globe websites as there was very little coverage of the race in this newspaper.
Rich: I have followed you through the Big Boys e-mail network, wished for your safe return, and questioned your samity throughout. If you return to sanity, this 210 in Marion Harbor is ready for you.
Of the 30 boats that started the Vendee Globe this year, 9, including Rich Wilson have finished, 2 are still at sea trying to finish. 19 "high tech" boats failed. Sleep deprivation afflicted all the sailors. One fellow cracked his femur while on deck, crawled back to his cockpit and had to wait 2 days in tremendous pain until help arrived. Completing this race is a tremendous accomplishment, even advanced technology.
Congratulations! What and accomplishment and enjoy some much needed R and R and thanks for sharing this with the world!
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