August 2011

Brad Van Liew (USA)

 Nomination
You can only beat those you race against and in Brad Van Liew’s case beat them he has. In fact, Van Liew has executed a very polished job in dominating the small Velux 5 Oceans line-up, with a good enough programme that some are pressing the popular singlehander to roll straight into the Vendée Globe. That, however, is a very different ball game requiring a very different boat. As well as a hell of a lot more money
 Why they won
Finn sailing legend Richard Hart made the early running but once Uncle Sam starts rolling… ‘Brad was doing a perfect job, until he sailed right into a nice storm this morning’ – Walt Lane; ‘inspired, communicative and not a bad sailor’ – Piers Williams; ‘Class act’ – Matt Sole; ‘One tough dude’ – Luiz Kahl; ‘Full noise or no noise’ – Anne-Marie Hasselbalch; ‘We’re not great with solo sailors here, so he done good’ – David Gruver (USA); ‘Blazing!’ – Alan Andrews.