Dear Rich,

Congratulations on your success. I am sure that after your steering linkage bolt broke, or your ribs broke you must have contemplated quitting, but you never did. After 28,590 grueling miles all I can say is wow. It was fun following your trip around the globe. Sailing past the Americas, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia is truly an amazing feat. Good job and good race!

With all due respect,

Alec

Dear Rich,
After a long 121 days you have finally finished the Vendee Globe race, you must be really exited. Even though you came in 9th place I still think that you are a winner for finishing the race and being the first American to do so in a long time. Where you shocked when you saw all those people at the bay waiting for you in Les Sables D’Olonne, France? I am so happy for you. You really celebrated the great achievement! Have a good spring and summer as you are finally back home! Natasha

Dear Rich,

I am astonished on what you have done in these past months. You have been helping our class understand more about the Vendee Globe. I am amazed by all the stories you have told us. I still cannot believe that you can live on a boat for a certain amount of time without any other people. This must have taken a lot of mental focus because you are just out there by yourself. I will always be amazed by what you have done in these past months. From, Shamus

Dear Rich Wilson,
Congratulations! You have done what many people think is the impossible and unthinkable. You have sailed around the world in 121 days. You have been through many harsh storms and you have seen many types of fish that some wish to see every day of their life. Finally, you have done all those things plus the most important one of all, to tell kids that they should follow their dreams no matter what they are. Sincerely, Jennifer

Dear Rich,
I am happy that you have finished the race. Many people drop out of the race because of difficulties.
You were also the oldest out of everyone else. You had a very good race that you got to finish. You came in 9th place which is hard out of 30 people! Sincerely, Alfred

Dear Rich,
Congratulations on crossing the finish line! After all those hardships, you made it! Breana

Dear Rich,
Hello it is me again Caroline and I just want to say Congrats!! I am in the 6th grade and I am one of the students of Mrs. Leo. I read in the Boston Globe article that you wore a helmet everyday on the boat. It is very smart to be cautious. I also learned that you finished in 121 days, 41 minutes, and 19 seconds. Very impressive! This must have been an honor! Were you nervous when you had to give a speech in front of the people who congratulated you? It is was very cool seeing you open the bottle of champagne. I hope you are celebrating your victory.
Sincerely,
Caroline

Dear Rich,
I was happy to see an article about you in the Boston Globe. I was impressed by how you made it in 9th place out of 30 boats in a race around the world! Nineteen out of the thirty boats had troubles and you were one of the eleven who made it. I thought it was amazing that you were the oldest sailor to complete the race. You mentioned the support your family gave you during the race and the support they are going to give you when you finish the race. I enjoyed tracking your race and learned some interesting facts in your articles and podcasts.
Have a safe trip home! ~Colin

Dear Rich,
I hope you are excited and proud that you completed the 121 day race around the world.I know that you went through many storms but you moved along and finished the race. You came in 9 out of 30. That’s amazing! I hope you’re happy to be back and I wish you luck in the future.
Joe K.

Dear Rich,
I am so glad you made it. Only 11 finished out of 30 skippers; nothing can relieve all the worry I had with all the storms and harsh weather you had. Even with all the trouble you had to go through, I bet you had some good times too. Like on December 31st, you had some good sailing weather and easy seas. I looked around (and probably missed it), but what I want to know is, how do you sleep, what kind of food do you eat, and, did you ever change your clothes? I have been sailing before, and I had to control everything with my friends on the boat. Once again… CONGRATS!!!
From,
Angie