Fatal Storm: The 54th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - Softcover

Mundle, Rob

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1460750993 ISBN 13: 9781460750995

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2017

Synopsis

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER 'Whatever else Rob Mundle may write, this is likely to be his master work' Mike Power, The Mercury 'ROB MUNDLE IS A MASTER OF THE MARITIME NARRATIVE' Sunday Age Just before 1pm Boxing Day 1998, many thousands of Australians gathered - on and around Sydney Harbour, or in front of their televisions - to watch the start of an annual summer sporting tradition: the 628 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart yacht race. It was the 54th staging of one of the world's three classic offshore races, and the harbour was laden with excitement and colour as the 115 competing yachts jostled their way towards the start line while the countdown was in its final seconds. The moment the cannon boomed its signal, the fleet began the short dash towards the heads, before turning south and onto the waters of the Tasman Sea. It was an adrenaline-charged time for all competitors, but little did they know an unpredicted major storm cell was developing offshore and lying directly in their path. The fleet and the storm were destined to intersect. In little more than 24 hours, the majority of yachts were being hammered by hurricane-force winds and gigantic swells, some the height of 10 storey buildings. The Sydney to Hobart had become a race for survival. What ensued was the largest peacetime search and rescue mission Australia has ever known. Six sailors perished, five yachts sank, 55 sailors were winched to safety. Only 44 yachts reached the finish.

About this title

About the Author:

Rob Mundle OAM is a bestselling author, journalist and competitive sailor whose family heritage is with the sea, dating back to his great-great-grandfather, who was the master of square-riggers. Rob has spent a lifetime combining his passions for sailing and writing. He has written thirteen books - including the international bestseller FATAL STORM - reported on more than 40 Sydney-to-Hobart yacht races (and competed in three), and covered seven America's Cups, four Olympics and numerous international events. He is the winner of many sailing championships and has been a competitor in local and international contests.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1460750993
• ISBN 13: 9781460750995
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 380