As I tackled the challenge of the "Around Alone" boat race - a race to circumnavigate the globe solo - children in classrooms around the world followed the adventures of my fellow yachtsmen and me on the Internet, gaining the thrilling opportunity to watch this long, harsh struggle across the oceans live. Of course, one can never understand the rigors of the sea without experiencing it for oneself, but one of the most delightful achievements of this race was the sense the children had of how wonderful life is.