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 search and rescue operation was one of the most phenomenally accomplished peacetime efforts the world has ever seen, and had it not been for the superior organisational skills, many more lives would surely have been lost.
Robert 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 officials, crews, survivors and rescue service personnel he relates the calamity and triumph of the 1998 blue water classic.
Rob Mundle's text is complimented by over 75 full colour photographs, many by seasoned yachting photographer Richard Bennett.