Rich Wilson launches Vendee campaign

First up the Transat Jacques Vabre with a sailing legend....

Another major milestone for Rich Wilson’s Great American III after a 10 month refit project - the Open 60, once upon a time Thierry Dubois' Solidaires, is complete. The GAIII was launched at Maine Yacht Center in Portland Maine last week, putting skipper Rich Wilson a step closer in his quest to be the only American to race the 2008 Vendee Globe.

Maine Yacht Center crews hauled GAIII out of Portland Harbor Thursday. With Rich Wilson and project manager Brian Wilson, the keel was fitted and mast stepped. The refit at Maine Yacht Center included substantial stem repairs; removal and modification of the canting keel; rehab of the engine; total replacement of the electrical system as well as a new deck layout with a new pedestal.

MYC General Manager Brian Harris has worked on several international race campaigns with Wilson and is considered to be one of the top project managers for Open 50 and Open 60 class boats.

The next step for GAIII is certification by IMOCA for the Vendee Globe race. Later this month, the boat will be hoisted out of Portland Harbor for its mandatory measurements and stability tests for certification.

Then, in November, Wilson, along with his legendary co-skipper Mike Birch, will race the GAIII in the Transat Jacques Vabre.

(Skipper Rich Wilson is an educator and a sailor. Wilson has three world-record setting voyages to his credit including a voyage from San Francisco to Boston by way of Cape Horn in 1994. The Massachusetts native also founded the Sites Alive Foundation, a non-profit platform for his ongoing educational program Ocean Challenge, a series of educational programs for students worldwide. In 2005, Wilson’s ocean voyages and contributions to education earned him one of sailing’s highest honors, the Cruising Club of America’s (CCA) prestigious Blue Water Medal.)

More photos on page 2....