10:31 AM Tue 9 Feb 2010 GMT
In June 2008 an armada of hardcore raceboats, RIBs, cabin cruisers and ageing classics converged on Portsmouth, England to compete in one of the most gruelling and demanding offshore races anywhere in the world.
Funny, gritty, and always painfully honest, Chasing The Horizon is one man's true account of the hardships and horrors faced as he took part in one of the toughest offshore endurance races ever held- the 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race. Covering the race for one of the UK's biggest boating magazines, Derek Wynans thought he had it made. The plan was simple- join one of the top-rated teams as they thundered round Britain at speeds of ninety mph. But with just hours to go, the plan sank without a trace, leaving him no option but to beg total strangers for a lift.
So began one of the toughest trials the author ever had to face- from being abused by parrots to being propositioned by a Polish pimp, for Derek Wynans the easy part was racing across the tumultuous sea for six hours at a stretch. Finding a bed for the night and a ride for the next day- that was the REAL challenge...
Chasing The Horizon is the only book that recounts the highs and lows faced by forty-seven teams of professionals and amateurs alike as they struggled to overcome physical and mental exhaustion, mechanical breakdowns- and the sea itself.
With pictures by Award-winning photographer Chris Davies, this book paints a unique picture of one of the most exhilarating powerboat events of recent years.
Reviews for Chasing The Horizon:
'...an honest and engaging tale of an epic event, written by a man who plainly cares... the result is honest, funny, raw and riveting. Fine stuff.' ????? (five stars)
Sports boat & RIB magazine
'...for the race fanatic or casual observer it makes an easily digested, curiously gripping and unexpectedly poignant 252 pages...' ????? (five stars)
MotorBoat & Yachting magazine
Mike Lloyd, Round Britain 2008 Race Organiser, had this to say about the book:
'Chasing The Horizon is a vivid personal account of the 2008 Round Britain Powerboat Race and brought back all the memories of those ten crazy days... it's hilariously funny in places and very poignant in others... I congratulate and thank Derek for writing this record of one of the greatest powerboat races in the world.'
Chasing The Horizon
www.chasingthehorizon.co.uk
ISBN Number: 978-0956393807
Page Count: 252 (B&W)
Available from all good bookshops and on-line.
by Derek Wynans
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Warburton, WA
