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

Nic Compton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840006552 ISBN 13: 9781840006551

Publisher: Mitchell Beazley, London, 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

From the Back Cover:

One person. One boat. And mile upon mile of open sea. Ever since Joshua Slocum circumnavigated the globe in 1895 - 98, sailors have dreamed of taking to the high seas alone. In 1966 Sir Francis Chichester astonished the world by sailing solo around the globe in just 226 days. Two years later Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to do it nonstop. It's a dream to which many sailors have devoted their lives; some have lost their lives in the pursuit. With lavish, full-color photography and dramatic prose, Sailing Solo pays homage to the world's greatest sailors and gives you first-hand accounts of every major single-handed race.

In the century since Slocum's pioneering voyage, the boats have changed but the sea has not. Single-handed voyaging is still the ultimate test of resourcefulness, courage, endurance, and imagination. Here is a rich history and celebration of the great voyages, the races, and the men and women who sail them. Sailing Solo includes:

• Dramatic accounts of the most grueling yachting races in the world, including the Ostar, Figaro, Mini-Transat, Route du Rhum, Around Alone, and Vendee Globe, in which sailors surf down 40-foot waves at speeds exceeding 20 knots, thousands of miles from any help.
• Full-length profiles with fact boxes of the greatest sailors, including Robin Knox-Johnston, Eric Tabarly, Mike Birch, Christophe Auguin, and Ellen MacArthur.
• Detailed maps of the routes, with key locations highlighted.
• Insightful analysis of how the demands of the single-handed sailor have led to technological advances in boat design.

Ever since the first Observer Single-Handed Transatlantic Race in 1960, the idea of lone sailors pitting their wits against each other and the elements has captured the public's imagination. Sailing Solo traces the history of each race, introduces the skippers, and explains the impact of design and technology on the boats they race. From the philosophy of Bernard Moitessier to the grit of Eric Tabarly and the professionalism of Ellen MacArthur, discover what makes sailors tackle that ultimate of all challenges: sailing alone.

A Lone Sailor on a Vast Ocean

"I am still completely amazed by the early pioneers of solo sailing. Imagine setting sail on a tiny boat with only the most basic of safety equipment, foul weather gear, and navigational aids. This is what Slocum, Chichester, Rose, and Hasler did. Even when Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set the nonstop round-the-world record on Suhaili, he did so with few of the sophisticated aids and modern comforts we have now. Robin set his record of 313 days in 1968 - 69, seven years before I was born. Now, the monohull record stands at 93 days--a lot has been achieved in 26 years!

"Nic effortlessly recounts many of the greatest solo stories, demonstrating his understanding of the sea and the sailors who are prepared to sacrifice everything to compete on the world's oceans. These tales of great human endeavor leave you feeling in awe of the men and women who have attempted these incredible voyages."--from the Foreword by Ellen MacArthur, fastest woman to circumnavigate the globe alone

About the Author:

Nic Compton was brought up on boats in the Mediterranean until the age of 15. He worked as a boat builder for a few years after university. While working in Greece he bought a 32ft William Atkins double-ender, sister ship to Knox-Johnston's Suhaili, which he sailed back to the UK. After a post-graduate course in journalism he became deputy editor, then editor of Classic Boat from 1994-2000. He now works as a freelance writer and photographer, writing for magazines such as Yachting Monthly, Motorboats and Yachting, and Boat International and partly living on his 37ft classic wooden sloop Red Gauntlet, which he sailed back from Portugal.

About this edition

• Publisher: Mitchell Beazley, London
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1840006552
• ISBN 13: 9781840006551
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176