Photo by Daniel Forster

    Brad has sailed for over 20 years.  After working for the late Mike Plant on Duracell in 1988 he returned to Southern California.  There he raced his own boat for several years.  Currently Brad races an Andrews 27. 
       Besides his sailing experience Brad is a licensed commercial pilot.  He owns his own aviation management company.  The combination of sailing and aviation experience should make for a unique approach to the Around Alone Race.

California Challenge's  Boat

Photo Courtesy of California Challenge Website

      Brad will be sailing in Class 2 which means his boat fits the rule of the Open 50 class.  It was designed by  David Lyons & Rodger Martin.  The boat sailed in the last Around Alone (then the BOC Challenge) as Newcastle Australia skippered by Alan Nebauer.  She finished 4th in Class 2 with a total time of: 181 Days 13 Hours 46 Minuets 28 Seconds.  To relive this circumnavigation visit the TMI Bookstore and purchase Alan Neabauer's account Against All Odds : Around Alone in the Boc Challenge.

   Now that you know who Brad Van Liew is and what kind of ship California Challenge is please sail on and read the Torresen Sailing Site's 2 part interview with Brad..  We talked to Brad about the upcoming race, his prepration and stragies and future plans.