Close to the Wind: An Extraordinary Story of Triumph Over Adversity (Charnwood Library) - Hardcover

Goss, Pete

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0708991009 ISBN 13: 9780708991008

Publisher: Charnwood, 1999

Synopsis

On November 3, 1996, former Royal Marine Pete Goss embarked on the most grueling competition in his sailing career: the Vendée Globe, a nonstop, single-handed round-the-world yacht race. For the next seven weeks he met every challenge in his stormy path, from combating waves the height of six-story buildings to grappling with his spinnaker in high winds. Then everything began going wrong: His sails were destroyed, his navigation equipment proved useless. And on Christmas Day his radio picked up a Mayday that a French competitor was sinking 160 miles away. Turning into the hurricane-force winds, Goss set out to rescue a near-dead man on a life raft somewhere in the vast wilderness of the merciless southern ocean. How he did it makes this extraordinary tale as amazing as it is thrilling.

About this title

Review

On December 25, 1996, Pete Goss turned his 50-ft yacht Aqua Quorum back into a hurricane- force headwind to rescue French sailor Raphael Dinelli. He risked his life and any chance of winning one of the world's great yachting challenges--the Vendeé Globe non-stop, single- handed, round-the- world race. Instead, he was awarded France's highest honour--the Legion d'Honneur--and an MBE in the 1998 New Year's Honour List.

Close to the Wind is Goss's story. He starts with the years of preparation as a merchant seaman and skipper on one of the 10 yachts in Chay Blyth's British Steel Challenge. He describes how he attempted to get sponsorship but was constantly rebuffed and he discusses the hardships he faced--nights spent sleeping on platforms before business meetings because there was no money to spare for a room. The drama of the Vendee is recounted in detail, down to Goss's having to operate on his elbow without anaesthetic and with the assistance only of faxed instructions. And will he race again? He plans to set off on in a 115-ft catamaran in The Race, December 2000.

Review

CLOSE TO THE WIND - Quotes

'Nothing Ian Fleming wrote has you wondering so anxiously how the hero is going to get out of this pickle' Independent

'Parents, wives and sisters who buy this book for the family daredevil must read it first. It celebrates an ancient, beautiful way of being human.'
Libby Purves in The Times

'This is a wonderful book, a book to make the reader realise that he or she could never be a hero. I recommend it.' Michael Beaumont, Spectator

'More impressive than fiction could ever be . . . compelling' Independent on Sunday

'Goss takes you so vividly on board with him . . . he has a genuine talent for writing tense narrative.' Independent

'The story of a brave man; a man who turned into the teeth of a hurricane to save the life of a fellow competitor in a single-handed round-the-world yacht race. A wonderful book. I recommend it.' Spectator

'Just buy it, you'll love it, a real life adventure story' Royal Yachting Association

'It is far from just a book about the Vendée events, but a soul-bearing autobiography' Western Morning News

'His down-to-earth storytelling is gripping. His modesty is endearing. His dedication to a cause and the manner of achieving it are humbling and inspiring' Cambridge Evening News

About this edition

• Publisher: Charnwood
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0708991009
• ISBN 13: 9780708991008
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328