I was loaned this book by a sailing friend after we spent hours dreaming up a sailing vacation to the carribean once travel is allowed again. It sat on my shelf for a long time, but ultimately, after reading the synopsis and flipping through the full-colour photos sandwiched in the middle, I was drawn to start reading it. 

The book tells the story of the fatal 1998 Sydney-Hobart yacht race. The race is run each year from Sydney, Australia to Hobart, Tasmania, and is acknowledged by many to be one of the most challenging yacht race due to the frequently challenging winds and seas, particularly in the Bass strait. The weather in the 1998 race prompted the largest peacetime search and rescue operation in Australia, and resulted in the loss of five yachts, 55 sailors rescued, and six deaths. 

As a sailor, this book was a really excellent read. Rob Mundle gathered the stories of multiple parties, from the racers, to organizers, and people involved in the search and rescue operation. These multiple viewpoints kept the story interesting through the book, which only really takes place over a day and a bit. The story from each boat, and from each rescue is awe inspiring and terrifying. The specific descriptions of the techniques used by various boats to stay afloat and under control were fascinating to read about, and I couldn’t imagine the tenacity it would take to sail under such conditions based on my own (minimal) experience.

Even if you aren’t a sailor, I’d recommend this book to anybody who likes wilderness adventure books. The ferociousness of the elements is so tangible and peoples’ perseverance through the wind and waves is inspiring.