Sailing Solo: The Legendary Sailors and the Great Races - Hardcover

Compton, Nic

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840006552 ISBN 13: 9781840006551

Publisher: Mitchell Beazley, 2003

Synopsis

One person, one boat and mile upon mile of open sea. Ever since Joshua Slocum circumnavigated the world in 1895-1898, sailors have dreamed of taking to the high seas alone and many have devoted their lives to doing just that. Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the world in 266 days in 1966 and, two years later, Robin Knox-Johnston became the first to do it non-stop. If one skipper could do it fast, then others thought they could do it faster. From the first Observer Single-handed Transatlantic Race (Ostar) in 1960, the idea of lone sailors pitting their wits against each other and the elements aboard such delicate-seeming craft has captured the public's imagination. This text explores the background of all the major single-handed sailing races from the pioneering Ostar to the Vendee Globe. Each chapter traces the history of each race and includes a detailed map of the route. Feature spreads on celebrated skippers and their dramatic stories are included, along with an exploration of the impact these fearless men and women have had on boat design, as their quest for sailing excellence has continued to challenge boat technology.

About this title

About the Author

Sailing has always been part of Nic Compton's life, having grown up on boats in the Mediterranean. After working in Greece, he bought a 9.75m (32 ft) William Atkins double-ender which he sailed back to the UK in order to complete a degree in English with American & Commonwealth Arts in 1984.He was the deputy editor and then Editor of Classic Boat from 1996-2000, and since then, has traveled the world as a sailing writer. He was the editor of the Official Book of the America's Cup Jubilee (Notre Voie, 2002) and has written three books: Sailing Solo (Mitchell Beazley, 2003), Sailboats (Salamander 2003) and The Great Classic Yacht Revival (Mitchell Beazley 2004). He also writes for Yachting Monthly, Boat International and Motorboats and Yachting and speaks French and Greek. He lives in Lewes, East Sussex where he has a boat and sails regularly.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mitchell Beazley
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1840006552
• ISBN 13: 9781840006551
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192