Mr. Wilson, do you use math when you sail?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 8, 2017 | Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

YES! I record how far we have gone each day, or for segments of the voyage, and then calculate average speeds. I look constantly at data from the boat, like boatspeed and windspeed, and the angles (geometry) of the wind and the boat. In navigation also I look a angles...

What do you do when you are not on your boat?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 8, 2017 | Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

Dear Thomas: We spent over two years setting up this sitesALIVE program, with our curriculum, our website, and finding partners around the world who would participate with us. Also we needed to assemble our Team of Experts. I was the Founder of sitesALIVE, and since...

What kind of autopilot do you use?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 6, 2017 | Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

We use an autopilot and instruments from B&G which is a company in England. Many of the boats in the race use this same equipment. Question submitted by Ningyun Cai

How do your peak flow values at sea compare to your values at home? I’m thinking the fresh clean air of the ocean might be a blessing but what about the temperature and humidity swings?

by Rich Wilson | Feb 6, 2017 | Q&A - 3-Asthma, Q&A - RichWilson, Q&A-RW-wk14

Dear John: My asthma is well controlled, and so the peak flows are about the same at sea and on land. Where there may be a benefit from the clean ocean air, perhaps that is offset by the constant stress which is also a trigger for my asthma. Temperature and humidity...

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...