The Race

Book excerpt: A contributing editor for Outside magazine provides a behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced, around-the-world sailing race. An invigorating behind-the-scenes look at the world of extreme sailing, The Race is also a taut, engrossing account of the first running of the competition called “The Race,” which began on December 31, 2000, in Barcelona and ended sixty-two days later in Marseilles. The most intense event of its kind—a nonstop circumnavigation of the globe in the fastest boats ever built—The Race attracts some of the world’s best sailors and arguably its most eccentric personalities. Tim Zimmermann, an experienced blue-water sailor, relates in knuckle-whitening detail how and why sailors risk millions of dollars and their lives to dash around the world in record time. He garnishes this story with a chronicle of the tumultuous history of extreme sailing from the nineteenth century to today. Zimmermann “puts the reader right on board with the tough, colorful crews as they take a crash course (sometimes literally) in how to handle these astonishing machines” (Derek Lundy, author of Godforsaken Sea). Praise for The Race “Zimmerman turns a daring race of unthinkably fast, high-tech sailing machines into a page-turner.” —Bruce Knecht, author of The Proving Ground “This is probably the finest account of the history of the circumnavigator’s quest yet written, refreshingly free of hyperbole and false expectation. Zimmerman’s pace matches that of The Race itself, though he never puts his bow under.” —Lincoln P. Paine, author of Ships of the World “Zimmerman’s behind-the-scenes look at the characters, boats, and technology in The Race—as well as the rich sailing history that preceded it—captures the nuances of adventure only a masochist could love. The Race was a wild ride, and The Race is a fine read.” —Herb McCormick, sailing correspondent of the New York Times, editor of Cruising World