An MIT Alumni Association Publication

Alumnus Becomes Fastest American Sailor to Complete a Non-Stop Solo Circumnavigation

  • Nancy DuVergne Smith
  • slice.mit.edu
  • 1

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Rich Wilson SM '76.
Rich Wilson SM '76.

Rich Wilson SM ’76 completed his second successful solo circumnavigation of the world under sail today. He docked in Les Sables d’Olonne in France 107 days and 48 minutes after starting his second Vendée Globe race, a nonstop 26,000-mile sailing race that begins and ends in France.

Wilson beat his 2009 Vendée Globe record of 121 days, 41 minutes. To share both those adventures, he posted updates regularly to sitesALIVE!, a non-profit organization he founded to connect K12 classrooms to adventures and expeditions around the world. Read ship logs, teaching materials, expert profiles, and data about the vessel and about Wilson.

A longtime mathematics educator and sailor who lives in Marblehead MA, he became the youngest overall winner of the prestigious Newport Bermuda Race in 1980. At 66, he was the oldest skipper in the Vendée Globe competition and, as of today, is the fastest American sailor to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation, according to a Boston Globe article.

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Comments

Candace Royer

Wed, 02/22/2017 3:17pm

Amazing accomplishment! Mr. Wilsons courage, perseverance and sailing expertise is nothing short of inspirational!!!