Fatal Storm: The 54th Sydney to Hobart Race ebook

by Rob Mundle

Rob Mundle Australia and Oceania English

A competitive sailor since the age of 11, Rob has reported on seven America's Cup matches (including the live international television coverage of Australia's historic victory in 1983), four Olympics and numerous other major events, including the Sydney-Hobart classic for 50 years.

The 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 54th annual running of the "blue water classic" Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. It was hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia based in Sydney, New South Wales. It was the most disastrous in the race's history, with the loss of six lives and five yachts.

There's now an extra reason for looking forward to the holidays, the Sydney to Hobart, Australia race that begins on December 26. Our winter is Australia's hurricane season, and the '98 race was caught in a maelstrom. There's pictures in the book and also on You Tube. If you are a fan of The Perfect Storm you'll love this book. One person found this helpful.

Drawing from extensive interviews with officials, crews, survivors and rescue service personnel, he relates like no other the calamity and triumph of the 1998 blue water classic. Mundle's portrayals of courageous sailors and heroic rescuers fighting for their lives are as vivid as any I have read.

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Author:Mundle, Rob. Fatal Storm. Each month we recycle over . million books, saving over 12,500 tonnes of books a year from going straight into landfill sites. All of our paper waste is recycled and turned into corrugated cardboard. Read full description. Pre-owned: lowest price.

Rob Mundle, one of Australia's leading journalists and yachtsmen has covered the Sydney-Hobart race 30 times and has competed on 3 occasions. He 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 officials, crews, survivors and rescue service personnel, he relates like no other the calamity and triumph of the 1998 blue water classic. Country of Publication.

the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is one of the world's major sporting events

the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is one of the world's major sporting events. In 1998, it became one of the world's majo.

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is 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. Telling this story of challenge and survival, this book details the history of the race, the excitement of the start and the thrill of competition. It contains extensive interviews with officials, crews, survivors and rescue service personnel."

Mozel

Way too much detail about arrivals on dock for race and other races to keep the attention of a non sailing reader but I waded through that and got to the guts of the story. Could not put it down. Still struggled with descriptions only a sailor would understand about what happened on the boat and why but the rescues were so clear I could smell the salt spray.

Nekora

Gripping tale of great courage against the might of Mother Nature. Sailing these waters of the great Southern Ocean takes much preparation and skill. Even then, the wind and the sea can take you apart.

Hurus

When I decided to read this book, I actually started with another book on the subject recommended by Sports Illustrated. Based on Amazon reviewers I selected this one and wasn't disappointed.
Mundle attempts to show the personal side of the individuals as well as the intense struggle on each boat and helicopter. This is a spellbinding story which he did a good job of relaying. I learned about sailing but more importantly, I learned what it felt like to confront your worst nightmare come true.
This is a great subject correctly described by the author and as a bonus, the pictures in the book are good also. Off-coast sailing? Not for me after this book.

Kazigrel

Anyone who is a sailboat skipper has nightmares over situations like this. Why did yacht "a" survive, and yacht "b" did not. Some of it has to do with construction - a number of the saliboats were of untried or unproven design. Perhaps because I'm a traditionalist, I like a deep displacement hull, with proven capabilities - problem is, that won't sail fast.

Kearanny

Bine

The 1998 annual open ocean sailing race from Sydney, Australia, to Tasmania was marred by tragedy due to the organizer's and weather forecaster's incompetence. A bright spot was the incredible performance of the Australian search-and-rescue operations. Of the 115 yachts that started, only 44 finished and 5 sank. 55 sailors were winched to safety by rescue helicopters and 6 sailors died. The race course is 1,200 km (730 mi) long, and crosses the relatively shallow Bass Strait between the Australian mainland and Tasmania. In 1998, an unanticipated near hurricane with 70+ mph winds resulted in 60 to 80-ft waves that disabled and rolled over many of the competing yachts.

The book is based on many interviews and tells the detailed story of the sailing experiences of eight yachts which needed rescue. Included in the middle of the book (in one group) are 16 pages of photographs of the capsized yachts and the incredible seas. The yacht Sayonara won in spite of having to alter course and reduce speed due to hull de-lamination. Owner Larry Ellison swore off open ocean racing after this race and switched his efforts to the America's cup. The book is very well written and logically organized.

Arilak

Overall this was very well written, and certainly a change from the ordinary
(unless nautical tales are what you usually read). I think I was a bit distracted
by the heavy usages of nautical terms. However, if you have sailed before,
this should not be a problem.

Amazing story. A page turner of a book.