Author Description

"A must-read for any sailor" ***** "A modern-day Moitessier" ***** "A sailing Legend" ***** One man’s challenge to compete in a yacht race around the world, as much against the natural elements as his fellow competitors... The 2018 Golden Globe Race marked the 50th anniversary of the Sunday-Times-sponsored solo circumnavigation and proved to be every bit of a boat and mind-breaking event as the first. The race attracted 18 starters. Four of these boats were abandoned or sank during the race, and only five completed the 30,000-mile course starting in France, proceeding south and around the Cape of Good Hope, east through the Southern Ocean, south of Australia and New Zealand, around Cape Horn, then back to France. Sixty-one-year-old Finnish sailor Tapio Lehtinen finished 5th of these solo adventurers, battling against mechanical breakdowns, weather extremes, and a barnacle infestation which slowed his speed to less than a walking pace. Despite the enormous setbacks, he stayed true to his original goal – the finish, taking 322 days to complete the course and return to Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The story is told from Tapio's log and radio communications with his team, and will put the reader in the cockpit during Southern Ocean gales, starlit nights, encounters with whales, the start, the finish, and everything in between. This is an extraordinary tale of one man’s ability to overcome extreme hardship and adversity – one that will inspire and encourage others to persevere against and rise above life’s challenges. This book is destined to be a classic. Get your copy today.