by John Rousmaniere
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Product Description
In August 1979, 303 yachts began the 600-mile Fastnet Race from the Isle of Wight off the southwest coast of England to Fastnet Rock off the Irish coast and back. It began in fine weather, then suddenly became a terrifying ordeal. A Force 10, sixty-knot storm swept across the North Atlantic with a speed that confounded forecasters, slamming into the fleet with epic fury. For twenty hours, 2,500 men and women were smashed by forty-foot breaking waves, while rescue helicopters and lifeboats struggled to save them. By the time the race was over, fifteen people had died, twenty-four crews had abandoned ship, five yachts had sunk, 136 sailors had been rescued, and only 85 boats had finished the race. John Rousmaniere was there, and he tells the tragic story of the greatest disaster in the history of yachting as only one who has sailed through the teeth of a killer storm can. With a new introduction by the author.
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Average Customer Review:
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Enjoyable Sailing Adventure/Disaster, 2006-02-26
Although I am not a sailor (and was occasionally left beind by Rousmaniere's use of sailing terminology), I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the deadly 1979 Fastnet race. The book is a narrative of a summer sailing race turned disaster off the coast of England and Ireland. As a bonus Rousmaniere is a good writer unlike so many other adventurers.
One of the most striking elements of the storm is that its effects varied so much over a very small distance. The author, who took part in the race on a larger yacht, was never really in life-threatening seas, while other boats just a few hours away pitched and rolled themselves to pieces. Rousmaniere tells his story along with accounts from the yachts that had crewmembers perish. He also describe the rescue effort in detail and gives some explanation how more than 300 yachts could have been surprised by one of the largest summer storms in history. The most interesting chapter at the end is his attempt to explain the lessons learned during the storm.
A good account of a hideous sailing adventure that will be enjoyable to sailors and land-lubbers alike.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Fastnet, Force 10: The Deadliest Storm in the History of Modern Sailing, New Edition, 2005-12-11
Incredible story. Well written. My family are sailors and my brother sailed one Fastnet race, so the details were both fascinating and scarey. Couldn't put the book down. If you have ever sailed, whether it be in a small sunfish or a larger boat, this story will ring so true. You will understand the challenges and the forces of nature, and hopefully make sure you are well prepared if you try anything on this scope. Great reading.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Thorough, Exciting, 2005-09-30
Even non-sailors will enjoy the thorough account of how a fast moving storm from America's Midwest grew into a sudden, shocking fury that wiped out the 1979 Fastnet race. Several boats and their fates are covered.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Adults Only, 2005-09-11
If you are looking for a good guys vs. bad guys screed; if you are looking for a juvenile, sensationalistic piece, look elaewhere. This is an intelligent, objective documentary of sea disaster in which boats were lost and people died. You don't have to be a yachtsman, just a muture student of the human experience.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
It's Just So Exciting..., 2002-01-14
Rousmaniere has done a great job on this book. He combines story and technical data quite well. He obviously did a lot of research, and it's reflected in the book. If you're a Sunday sailor - or a want to be ocean racer - this book is a must!
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