KNOCKDOWN: The Harrowing True Account of a Yacht Race Turned Deadly Book

In the extreme sport of blue water, or open ocean, yacht racing, the Sydney to Hobart challenge is considered one of the most treacherous races in the world. 1998 proved why. Slammed by a sudden freak storm that unleashed 90 mile-per-hour winds and waves 7 stories tall, 24 boats were abandoned at sea as 63 sailors fought for their lives. Amazingly, 57 were rescued, but 6 died, including two who were never found.

Premier adventure writer Martin Dugard takes us down 725 miles of Australia's eastern coast, and across the Bass Strait (known among sailors as "Hell on High Water"), as he re-creates the nightmare voyages of several ill-fated crews. Through interviews with racers, survivors, and devastated family members, he chronicles the emotional saga of the windswept sailors whose skill and daring were futile against the massive waves and unrelenting winds. He also probes the motivations of these unique individuals -- including CEOs and billionaires -- who risk all to challenge nature's indiscriminate fury. Gripping and thought-provoking, Knockdown is an unforgettable look at an exhilarating sport and its potentially tragic consequences.