Publisher: McClelland & Stewart, US$ 29.95
Publication Date: 2007
The 1979 Fastnet Race must rate as one of the major tragedies in sailing for many years, claiming the lives of fifteen competitors. We tend to remember the overall picture: the rescue of 136 competitors, the extreme conditions, the lives lost. Adam Mayers, a Canadian journalist, has produced a more intimate account of the yachts which comprised the Canadian Admiral’s Cup team. His interviews with those taking part, although after a period of 26 years, provide very evocative memories.
A vivid picture emerges of a rapid shift from racing to survival mode, with extreme conditions on deck, broaches and knockdowns, many crew owing lives to their lifelines. There was chaos for those below deck, with violent movement, extreme noise and the fear that yachts could founder. With constant pumping, one crew likened conditions to ‘trying to sleep in a sewer’.
All the team boats were about 42ft overall. ‘Magistri’ was a fully ballasted traditional design which, although caught by the storm on her way to the Rock was able to fight her way around, and finished on the Wednesday, just ahead of Morning Cloud.
The other two were more modern designs, one with a fibreglass hull with a lifting keel and the other of aluminium construction. The latter had lost her mast during Cowes week, and retired with 45 other competitors to safety in Ireland, the other arriving back in Plymouth after retiring. Both were able to assist by relaying messages during the rescue operation.
Good background information is given for both sailors and non-sailors. The circumstances in which lives were lost, together with the weather conditions which resulted in winds up to 80 m.p.h. and confused seas of 50 feet. Some of those interviewed felt that they had been inadequate for the challenge. None gave up sailing, half of them took part in subsequent Fastnet Races, but they never forgot August 1979. – Peter Labdon
