Jul 31, 2003 the sydney to hobart yacht race is one of the worlds major sporting events. The 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race was marred by tragedy when, during an exceptionally strong storm which had similar strength winds to a lowercategory hurricane, five boats sank and six people died. Gary ticehurstshown below, in the abc australian broadcasting corp helicopter, is still hovering near standaside, filming the rescues. Sydney to hobart race start tall ship experience boxing day 26 december 2020 experience the excitement of the lead up and start to the 75th rolex sydney hobart yacht race from the majestic soren larsen, southern swan or coral trekker tall ships. An extreme event the compelling, true story of the. Six sailors tragically perished, countless others suffered injuries, and numerous yachts sank or were badly damaged. The race distance is approximately 630 nautical miles 1,170 km. Rob mundle takes readers through every whiteknuckling 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 hurricanestrength winds and fivestorey waves.
The race is run in conjunction with the royal yacht club of tasmania, and is widely considered to be one of the most difficult yacht races in. There had been a widely held belief, since the first race in 1945, that the classic had seen the complete range of weather conditions that could be. Crews line up for sydneytohobart yacht race amid sadness over 1998 tragedy down by sydney harbour, the crews for the 64th sydney to hobart yacht race will gather on wednesday for their. It was the most disastrous in the races history, with the loss of six lives and five yachts. The drama started to unfold on sunday, december 27, 1998, as the 115 yachts competing in the famous yacht race were hit by a onceina100year storm in bass strait. The historic 2019 rolex sydney hobart yacht race has been lauded as arguably the most successful in the history of the event, with metrics showing the event attracted more interest, viewers and engagement than ever before. The deadly sydney to hobart yacht race 1998 four corners. Bestselling author rob mundle has competed in the race on three occasions and reported on it for both newspapers and television for more than fifty years.
The deadly 1998 ocean yacht race from sydney, australia to hobart, tasmania that killed six people will be the focus of cnn presents on sunday, june 10, at 10 p. The 10th anniversary of the deadly 1998 sydneytohobart race is on. In 1998, sydneyhobart was a deadly race won by the sea. Having competed in 7 sydney to hobart yacht races including the similar 1993 race and, knowing many of the central characters in the book, this was an exciting and telling account of what faced the competitors in the 1998 race. Fatal storm rob mundle the first book to recount the tragedy of the 1998 sydney hobart yacht race, fatal storm. The 10th anniversary of the deadly 1998 sydneytohobart race is on the horizon, and yachties, to borrow the australian term, and a few nonyachties. Bruce knechts account of the 1998 sydney to hobart sailing race is a easy to read and detailed account of the events that occurred. This book focuses on the crews much more than the rescuers or the rescues, which story was covered better in fatal storm, which came out shortly after the event.
Dec 21, 2007 the 10th anniversary of the deadly 1998 sydney to hobart race is on the horizon, and yachties, to borrow the australian term, and a few nonyachties, may soon be reflecting, or perhaps pulling out. Less than half the entries crossed the finish line in the 1998 sydney to hobart. Understanding risk through the sydney to hobart yacht race. On december 26, 1998, 115 sailboats set out on the annual race from sydney to hobart. Yacht tracker rolex sydney hobart yacht race year 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 20 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962. On the 20th anniversary of the worst yachting disaster in australias history, it emerges that one man predicted the disastrous loss of life which befell the 1998 sydney to hobart yacht fleet, 17. An e xtrem e event the compelling, true story of the tragic 1998 sydneyhobart race. The events of 26 th december 1998 and onwards left an indelible imprint on tony. It highlights the power of the sea and the weight of decisions made by individual crew members and skippers. Dec 23, 2008 crews line up for sydney to hobart yacht race amid sadness over 1998 tragedy down by sydney harbour, the crews for the 64th sydney to hobart yacht race will gather on wednesday for their. As with all mundles work, biographies on bligh, cook, and flinders, it is beautifully written and contains details that are interesting and occasionally humorous. Watch sydney to hobart race start cruise sydney harbour. The iconic sydney to hobart race, a 723mile deepwater challenge often called the everest of offshore ocean racing is considered one of the toughest in the world.
It was the most disastrous in the race s history, with the loss of six lives and five yachts. Surviving the 1998 sydney to hobart superstorm lost amid the horror of the 1998 race was the tale of the little boat that could. In 1998, it became one of the worlds major sporting disasters. Her crew survived, and are part of a new film by graham mcneice on australians who. May 21, 20 1998 sydney hobart yacht race film part 1. Sydney hobart yacht race, biography of a sporting icon by rob. Unless a writer was actually on board one of the boats and recounts personal experience, reporting. Sydney hobart yacht race, biography of a sporting icon by. On december 26, 1998, 115 sailboats set out on the annual race. One hundred and fifteen yachts gathered for the start of a 630mile race that would take them across one of the worlds most treacherous bodies of water and on to hobart, on tasmanias rugged east coast. From the iconic start to the battles throughout the fleet and the challenging finish in the derwent river the 2019 rolex sydney hobart was one for the record book.
Of the 115 boats that started, only 44 made it to hobart. Richard bennetts exclusive coverage of the 1998 sydney hobart yacht race storm were published around the world from life magazine to paris match. Indepth, eyewitness accounts of the tragic events of the 1998 sydney to hobart race, which bring the events and characters to the page in a way which has raised inevitable and worthy comparison to the perfect storm. G bruce knecht an account of the 1998 sydney to hobart race describes how the annual sailing competition became one of the worst modern sailing disasters that left six sailors dead and a. Part 1 of the book features a description of the 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race which resulted in the loss of six lives due to the extreme conditions. Six sailors tragically perished, and numerous yachts sank or were badly damaged. Dec 11, 2012 the sydney to hobart yacht race is considered one of the most prestigious and difficult open water races in the world. The inside story of the 1998 sydney to hobart race by g.
The rolex sydney hobart yacht race is an annual event hosted by the cruising yacht club of australia, starting in sydney, new south wales on boxing day and finishing in hobart, tasmania. The sydney hobart yacht race is among the most demanding sailing competitions in the world. G bruce knecht an account of the 1998 sydney to hobart race describes how the annual sailing competition became one of the worst modern sailing disasters that left six sailors dead and a number of yachts destroyed. Richard bennetts exclusive coverage of the 1998 sydney. Knecht had access to the likes of larry ellison oracle founder and owner of the winning yacht, which adds an. First published in the age on december 30, 1998 how the sea took 3 mates inquiry ordered six dead search ends the start of the race, boxing day 1998. The sydney hobart yacht race by rob mundle queensland. Dec 26, 2018 20 years ago, six people died and fifty were rescued when wild weather hammered the sydney to hobart yacht race. The 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race was the 54th annual running of the blue water classic sydney to hobart yacht race. He knows that cameraman peter sinclair is picking up great vision for. May 30, 2009 richard bennetts exclusive coverage of the 1998 sydney hobart yacht race storm were published around the world from life magazine to paris match. Unpredictable seas make the 628nauticalmile course grueling under the best conditions, but the 1998 race proved to be the most perilous to date when a sudden and violent storm struck. An unusually strong low pressure depression developed which resulted in mid summer snow across parts of southeast australia.
Six sailors tragically perished and numerous yachts sank or were badly damaged. Thanks to the fatal storm of 1998, it is the survival aspect of the sydney hobart race that weighs on the minds of all skippers, whether they are megarich or just in it for the thrill of sailing. An unusually strong low pressure depression developed which resulted in midsummer snow across parts of southeast australia. Story of churchill namesake in the sydney to hobart yacht race. 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.
Churchill, and previous naval ships bearing that name, is not the only namesake to have carried a heroic crew, as revealed by the story of the 15metre sloop winston churchill, which sank during the sydney to hobart race in 1998. Covering 628 nautical miles from sydney, australia, to hobart, tasmania, the race is known for challenging ocean conditions, blustery winds and frigid temperatures that can test even the most experienced sailors. Lessons in teamwork from the treacherous sydney to hobart ocean race. The inside story of the tragic sydneyhobart race by. A decade after the disastrous race, robert matthews told his story of the 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race and how he came to be in the eye of a fatal storm in his book cruel wind. News corp australia the 1998 sydney to hobart brought the race into news headlines worldwide for the worst. Capturing and reliving the best bits of the momentous 75th race. Apr 20, 2020 along with the 1979 fastnet race, the 1998 sydney hobart has become a byword for disaster at sea. The loss of six lives in the 1998 sydney to hobart race was the worst tragedy to hit the yachting world since fastnet in 1979. The pinnacle of his many writing achievements is the international bestselling book fatal storm, the powerful story of the tragic 1998 sydney hobart race. This race has been covered by a number of authors but this version is exceptional. Equipped to survive tm 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race. The 1998 sydney to hobart brought the race into news headlines worldwide for the worst possible reason.
The sydney to hobart yacht race is one of the worlds major sporting events. The sydney hobart yacht race is the story of one of the worlds greatest sporting challenges one evening in may 1945, a small group of sydney sailing enthusiasts decided that their planned postchristmas cruise south to hobart would be more enjoyable if they made it a race. With unpredictable weather and seas, the sydney to hobart race is considered one of the toughest in the world. The author takes on the role of explaining first hand accounts of the race and incorporating them all together to create an amazing account of courage, leadership, perseverance, and failure. The sydhob is a grueling 735mile race down the east coast of australia, across the bass strait, and down the length of tasmania. An e xtrem e event the compelling, true story of the tragic 1998 sydneyhobart race debbie whitmont 1999 random house chapter 27. On december 26, 1998, 115 boats sailed out of sydney harbor at the start of the sydney to hobart race. Dec 25, 2018 survivors and rescuers pictured of the 1998 sydney to hobart tragedy have relived the race only 44 of the 115 yachts that ran the 1998 race finished, with most forced to turn back. Survivors of 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race remember the. Unpredictable weather and seas make each race demanding, but in 1998, an unexpected weather bomb hit the fleet, creating 80foot waves and 100mileperhour winds. Six sailors died and five boats were lost when a terrifying storm hit bass strait during the 1998 sydney to hobart yacht race. The sydney to hobart yacht race is considered one of the most prestigious and difficult open water races in the world. Story of churchill namesake in the sydney to hobart yacht.
Pm coroner releases findings on sydneyhobart yacht race. Fully updated to take in the findings of the recent coronial inquest, and subsequent lawsuits which have been filed by the widows. As a celebration of the great race that is the sydney to hobart that has endured and constantly improved over 75 years, it is highly recommended. Lessons in teamwork from the treacherous sydney to hobart. In 1998, after the sydney to hobart sailing competition began, a storm with hurricane force winds and 80 foot waves descended on the sailors. Crews line up for sydneytohobart yacht race amid sadness. Best sailing reads cruising yacht club of australia.
Hobart hits neverbeforeseenheights and the numbers prove it. Survivors and rescuers pictured of the 1998 sydney to hobart tragedy have relived the race only 44 of the 115 yachts that ran the 1998 race finished, with most forced to turn back. Cruel wind is the first book written by a survivor of that fateful race. Sydney to hobart yacht race rolex sydney hobart yacht. The 1998 edition of the sydney to hobart yacht race was an international tragedy. How one man predicted the 1998 sydney to hobart disaster. It was a maritime tragedy of horrendous proportions. On saturday august 11, 1979, 335 yachts set out from the isle of wight to race around the fastnet rock off eire. A number of books have been written about the 1998 sydney hobart, but all by professional authors, based on interviews with those who set sail from sydney harbour on a beautiful summer day on 26 december 1998. Wall street journal correspondent knecht recounts the australian 1998 sydney to hobart race, one of the worst disasters in recent oceanracing history. Lost amid the horror of the 1998 race was the tale of the little boat that could.
We remember the tragedy with this article from the archives. Along with the 1979 fastnet race, the 1998 sydney hobart has become a byword for disaster at sea. The sydney hobart yacht race is the story of one of the worlds greatest sporting challenges. Tony produced a documentary of his solo, 181 day nonstop and unassisted world circumnavigation which is inextricably linked to the fatal 1998 sydney to hobart race and accordingly is featured in the documentary, solo globe challenge look it in the eye.
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