For future races, on these types of boats, would it be possible to rig up a stationary bicycle type of affair? The lower body would get a workout and the power generated could be linked to drive the coffee grinder pedestal winch.

by Joff Brown | Feb 4, 2017 | Q&A-Expert-wk14

Hi Jim: Thanks for your question. Bicycle type arrangements have indeed been fitted to a couple of the larger 105ft-130ft trimarans, as some of the maneuvers on these boats are very difficult singlehanded. I believe Alex Thomson did experiment on one of his older,...

What would happen if you stopped breathing in an asthma attack? I already had a few asthma attacks and don’t know how bad it could be

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 4, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - DrChrisFanta, Q&A-Expert-wk14

That is a scary thought!  If you stopped breathing from an asthma attack, you would pass out.  But you don’t want to ever let that happen.  So, be prepared.  Have a plan in mind about what to do if you start to have difficulty breathing.  We call that your “asthma...

My class was looking at your photos from this last week. Your hands appear very blistered? How do you treat the blisters? Do you wear gloves?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 4, 2017 | Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

Dear Kim: Yes, I do wear sailing gloves which are leather and have the fingertips cut off so that you can still untie knots. Our Expert Dr. Barnewolt had recommended them before Vendée Globe 08, saying that they would support the joints in my fingers and hands, plus...

I notice that you have not gotten much sleep lately. How do you manage to stay awake with only a few hours of sleep?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 4, 2017 | Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

Dear Alexandra: Over many years and many miles at sea, I’ve learned that if you are sleeping and then woken up by something happening with the boat (it’s heeling over more,or not heeling, sails slatting, etc.) that if you don’t attend to it right...

Can asthma be cured?

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 2, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - DrChrisFanta, Q&A-Expert-wk13

In 2017 we do not yet have a cure for asthma.  We do have very effective medications that keep asthma under control, so that people with asthma can often be free of all symptoms for long periods of time. However, even then, asthma is not cured. If a person stops the...

If you have asthma, should you be sailing?

by Dr. Chris Fanta | Feb 2, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - DrChrisFanta, Q&A-Expert-wk13

If your asthma is out of control – with coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath – it would not be safe to be sailing alone around the world.  However, Rich Wilson has worked hard to keep his asthma under good control.  He takes his medications for asthma every...