Product Description

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has become established as one of the world's major sporting events. In 1998 it became one of the world's major sporting disasters. Six sailors tragically perished, countless others suffered injuries and numerous yachts sank or were badly damaged. The subsequent search and rescue operation was one of the most phenomenally accomplished peacetime efforts the world has ever seen. Rob Mundle, one of Australia's leading journalists and yachtsmen, tells this story of challenge and survival with compassion, vigour and understanding. He details the history of the race, the excitement of the start and the thrill of competition, and from his extensive interviews with officals, crews, survivors and rescue service personnel he relates like no other the calamity and triumph of the 1998 blue water classic. This is a tale of high adventure, of fascination with and fear of the sea, and of the emotions of the families of the competitors as well as the competitors themselves; the dreadful situations when faced with fatalities, and the feelings of utter helpless when it came to saving others. It is a salute to the rescuers, and a tribute to those who died.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #606531 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 344 pages

Review
'A riveting and harrowing story of the storm which devastated a sporting nation.' Ray Kershler, Daily Telegraph

About the Author
Rob Mundle is an experienced journalist, television presenter and yachtsman. He has covered the Sydney-Hobart Race 30 times and competed on three occasions. He has also reported on five America's Cup races, three Olymypics and numerous other events. He is widely recognised today as a leading media authority on sailing.

Customer Reviews

Rivetting
This is an gripping account of what can only be described as a disaster waiting to happen. I'm no seafarer, but it seems blindingly obvious that if you have a race through a notoriously storm prone stretch of sea, eventually you will get a confluence of all the worse possible circumstances and all kinds of nastiness will ensure. That being said, the human race never got anywhere by being timid - but less optimistic weather forecasts might help!

This is a superb account of what went on, focusing on the almost insane heroism of the rescue services, and on the stomach churning accounts of what the survivors went through. It's probably less scary with hindsight, but some of them come across as remarkably unperturbed by being trapped under an upturned boat - especially when clipped securely to the rail - just keeping their fingers crossed that the next wave will right the thing.

All utter madness, mixed with spectacular bravery - and a totally absorbing read. The only minor complaint is that a glossary (and preferably a diagram!) would have been nice for us non-nautical types.

This is similar in subject and style to Sebastian Junger's even more terrifying "The Perfect Storm" (which is nothing like the heavily fictionalised and slightly silly film of the same name) - if you enjoy this, you must read that one as well.

The most realistic account of dramatic events I've read
Whilst in Australia I learned of the events of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart race, and upon seeing this book on sale in a Sydney bookstore decided to give it a try. With no sailing knowledge, the initial 2 chapters were a little over my head (along with some of the language throughout the book), but you soon realise that this doesn't matter. The author has gathered first hand accounts of the events of the tragic race from numerous vessels involved, and presented them in such a way that you actually feel like you are there with them while 50ft waves are crashing down. I cannot imagine that there is another book detailing the extremes of ocean life in such a manner as Fatal Storm. Reading this book has increased my respect for the sailing profession and the marine rescue services ten-fold.

An amazing and gripping book! A great read
This book is a great read for sailors and non sailors alike. It gives a great insight into what the race conditions were like and what experiences were had by competitors and the many heros who risked their lives to save the dozens of stricken sailors. You'll almost be there yourself. I recommend this book to everyone, you won't be able to put it down.