Velux 5 Ocean Race

Our timing couldn't have been better... Today the first boat of the Velux 5 Ocean Race sailed triumphantly into Charleston Harbor from Montevideo, Uruguay. It is the fourth leg of the single-handed around the world race, and Brad Van Liew, a Charleston local and fellow schooner sailor, won the leg and is also in first place overall.

Not only did he sail into the harbor, but tied up alongside of Harvey Gamage for a half hour as he cleared customs. Needless to say our sailors were awestruck at first amid the press, but soon got to talking with Brad--he even gave the students a package of the dehydrated food he eats during his ocean passages! In exchange we gave Brad some of our supper, a calzone just out of the oven. "The best food I've eaten in a month!" was his reply...