Synopses & Reviews
“Mundles portrayals of courageous sailors and heroic rescuers fighting for their lives are as vivid as any I have read.”--John Rousmaniere, author,
Fastnet, Force 10“Wet and nonstop action. Thrilling.”--Washington Times
“Harrowing shoreside reading.”--Booklist
“A compelling story, well written and meticulously researched.”--Cruising World
One of the worlds three great ocean sailing competitions, the annual 600-mile race from Sydney, Australia, to Hobart, Tasmania, pits sailboats against the notoriously rough waters of Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea.
The 115 boats leaving Sydney Harbor on December 26, 1998, expected rough weather, but the gale that caught the boats well at sea in the predawn hours of December 27 was anything but routine. The freak, unseasonal storm brought hurricane-strength winds, waves six stories high, and the worst sailing disaster in recent history. Seven boats were abandoned at sea and five sank. Fifty-seven sailors were plucked from the decks of broken boats or from the sea itself under impossible conditions. Six sailors died.
Rob Mundle is a veteran Australian journalist and television reporter as well as a longtime competitive sailor. He has reported on six Americas Cup matches, four Olympics, and numerous other sailing events, and is the author of Ocean Warriors and other books.
Synopsis
"Harrowing shoreside reading."Booklist
"Should be required reading for all ocean sailors."Library Journal
The first book to recount the disastrous events of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Fatal Storm is sure to be a popular paperback selection. Rob Mundle takes readers through every white-knuckling hour of the gale that descended in the predawn hours of December 27, stretching over 900 miles from Australia to New Zealand, bringing with it hurricane strength winds and five-story waves. In all, 57 sailors were rescued, plucked from the decks of broken boats or from the sea itself under impossible conditions. Six sailors died.
A Sydney-Hobart Race veteran himself, Rob Mundle had total and unequaled access to the people behind the story. The result is a tale of extreme adventure, extraordinary will, and the overwhelming emotional tales of survivors, rescuers, and the bereaved.
Synopsis
“A compelling story, well written and meticulously researched.”--
Cruising WorldOne of the worlds three great ocean sailing competitions, the annual 600-mile race from Sydney, Australia, to Hobart, Tasmania, pits sailboats against the notoriously rough waters of Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea.
The 115 boats leaving Sydney Harbor on December 26, 1998, expected rough weather, but the gale that caught the boats well at sea in the predawn hours of December 27 was anything but routine. The freak, unseasonal storm brought hurricane-strength winds, waves six stories high, and the worst sailing disaster in recent history. Seven boats were abandoned at sea and five sank. Fifty-seven sailors were plucked from the decks of broken boats or from the sea itself under impossible conditions. Six sailors died.
About the Author
Rob Mundle is the managing director of Rob Mundle Promotions Pty Ltd. and writes a weekly column for the Australian. A veteran reporter and television personality, he has also reported on five Americas Cups, three Olympics, and numerous other sailing events. He is the author of Sir James Hardy.