"Woman of Steel" is Vivien Cherry's story of the British Steel Challenge Race. As the only female skipper, she tells of the responsibilities, frustrations, isolation and exhilaration of racing "Coopers & Lybrand" for nine months round the world with an inexperienced crew, coaching, cajoling and driving them every mile of the way. Each leg of the race presented its own difficulties - navigational and human. Stopovers often presented more dramas than the weeks at sea. In mid-race Viv's own leg became a factor when she became immobilized with a damaged knee needing immediate surgery. By the finish line in the Solent, the race that started with doubts ended with a fanfare. Vivien's journey was both a part of that voyage and a compelling individual story of an unusual sailor in a unique situation.