This is a tale of high adventure, of fascination with and fear of the sea, and of the emotions of the families of the competitors as well as the competitors themselves; the dreadful situations when faced with fatalities, and the feelings of utter helplessness when it came to saving others. It is a salute to the rescuers and a tribute to those who died. The annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race has become established as one of the world's major sporting events. In 1998 it became one of the world's major sporting disasters. Six sailors tragically perished, countless others suffered injuries and numerous yachts sank or were badly damaged. Rob Mundle, tells this story of challenge and survival, details the history of the race, the excitement of the start and the thrill of competition, and from his interviews with officials, crews, survivors and rescue service personnel he relates the calamity and triumph of this event.