Thursday, April 21, 2011

Johnstone Cousin Brad Van Liew Wins Velux 5- Leg 4

Brad Van Liew- sailing Velux 5 ocean race off Charleston, SC*Johnstone Cousin Brad Van Liew Wins Velux 5- Leg 4- Congratulations Cuz!!  Awesome job.  Just a young buck at the ripe age of 43 years old, Brad sailed into his home town of Charleston, South Carolina, Tuesday to rapturous applause from the flotilla of spectator boats who turned out to greet him. After sailing more than 5,900 nautical miles from Punta del Este in Uruguay, Brad crossed the finish line in Charleston Harbor at 1658 local time following 23 days, 4 hours and 58 minutes at sea.

His victory makes it four wins out of four legs in the Velux 5 Oceans, a 30,000-mile singlehanded race around the globe sailed in 60ft yachts called Eco 60s. With one more leg to sail, Brad has a dominant lead at the top of the Velux 5 Oceans leader-board.  In fact, were it not for a mandatory finish of every leg to count for the overall title, Brad would not have to sail the last leg to win!  Awesome, he only has to start, relax, eat and drink well and simply finish!  Brad is a veteran of two previous Velux 5 Oceans races in 1998 and 2002, when it was known as "The Around Alone". Brad won Class Two of the 2002 edition.  For more information on Brad's sailing adventures on Velux 5 Ocean Race.