Transatlantic Grilling

[MR.CLEAN]

Most of you will have read that Brad Van Liew is back at the solo game, having just picked up the ex-ProForms Open 60 for the Eco60 class of the next Velux 5 Oceans. Brad's weather window is slim but it looks like he and his crew are going to leave La Rochelle on Saturday bound for Charleston.

While we'll be getting short updates from the water, I have a chance to do a phone (Skype) interview with Brad tomorrow just before he leaves. I'll be recording it and posting the audio file when we're done.

If any of you have questions for Brad about his upcoming winter crossing, his shore crew, his training plans, his sponsorship search, or anything else, post them here and I'll make sure to include them in my interview. Check out his Lazarus Project site or Lazarus Rcing blog for more info and pics of the crew and boat, and thanks in advance for your good questions.

The original thread in Ocean Racing Anarchy is here.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Bump.

 

[JRowse]

Sounds like there leaving a little early for a weather window that opened up.

Are you still going to get in the interview?

I'd be curious as to what went into the boat selection process and what modifications, if they are allowed within the ECO60 rules, are being planned.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Thanks for the questions Jesse - this was all a bit last minute as they are getting the fuck out now! Will have to be a transcribed interview as brad will be calling me from his cellphone in a couple of hours. Bummer but still add your questions and we'll get em asked. I want to know;

about his training schedule,

what kind of trips he'll do as practice,

what the sponsorship hunt has been like

how are his prospects shaping up 10 months to go

Is velux committed to this race for a while

the effect the Barcelona race/ PGOR/Class 40 stuff are having on the Velux

Etc.

Anyone else?

 

[haha!]

I'd like to know if he thinks the current AC mess has affected how easy or difficult it is to get sponsors. Also how much impact the economy has had on the same.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Thanks haha! - waiting for a call-in right now

 

[laserichard]

id like to know about his mental side. how does he get psyched for such a long journey?

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Latest info that will crack you folks up who know something about maritime France.

The eel fishermen in La Rochelle have blockaded the port. Brad and his crew are trying to negotiate passage out of the commercial harbor, and I expect my phone call after they are underway.

 

[doghouse]

Latest info that will crack you folks up who know something about maritime France.
The eel fishermen in La Rochelle have blockaded the port. Brad and his crew are trying to negotiate passage out of the commercial harbor, and I expect my phone call after they are underway.

Don't they ever get tired of blockading in France?

 

[gorge runner]

Whiles he's still trapped behind the Eel Curtain, ask him about Abby and Jessica. I'm curious if he's had anytime to reflect upon this latest trend in OTW record seekers.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

wow - bashing upwind in 40-50 knots and we just did 15 minutes of interviewing. Recorder had a hard time with the noise, will transcribe later. Thanks for the questions!

 

[Madmax]

Does the boat have a head?

 

[DA-WOODY]

is the edge/end of the environment somehow suitably marked`?

would you consider going out of it ?

do you have a spare front just in-case ?