Left for Dead: The Untold Story of the Tragic 1979 Fastnet Race - Tapa dura

'Nick's blow-by-blow account of sailing into the eye of a fearsome storm is completely un-put-downable... a must-read for any offshore sailor.' Yachts and Yachting (27th July 2007) 'a story which is compelling and horrifying in equal measure...a gripping read.' The DailyTelegraph (November 07) 'Among the many survival stories from the oceans, this one is distinguished as much by the unvarnished prose as the heroism. The detail Ward has summoned from long ago is remarkable, but surely authentic. The cumulative effect is like being battered by wave after terrible wave.' The Sunday Times (November 2007) 'This gripping story is all the more poignant for the fact that... [the author] chose all those years ago to keep to himself the grueling details of his drama rather than opeing up to a hounding press.' Seattle Times (September 2007) 'Astonishingly vivid, painstakingly honest and utterly gripping. The story of one man's battle to survive the 1979 Fastnet yacht race which claimed 15 lives. A tour de force.' Financial Times (Decemeber 07)

The Fastnet Race is the world famous yacht race from the Isle of Wight to the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland and back. The race of 1979 began in perfect weather conditions but within 48 hours, the deadliest storm in the history of modern sailing struck off the south coast of Ireland. By the time it had passed, the havoc caused was immeasurable. Even more devastating, it had mercilessly taken the lives of fifteen sailors. It had been Nick Ward's childhood ambition to sail in the Fastnet Race, and after being asked to join the crew aboard the 30-foot yacht Grimalkin it was a dream come true. But then the storm hit. Grimalkin was capsized again and again, the skipper was lost overboard and after hours of struggle, three of the crew decided to abandon the boat for the liferaft. Nick and his fellow crewmember Gerry, both injured and unconscious, were left on the beleaguered yacht in the middle of the Irish Sea. Both were presumed dead, and were taken off the priority list for rescue. Gerry died a few hours later, and Nick was left to face the storm alone. Left for Dead is the tragic and inspirational story of Nick Ward's survival against all the odds. It is the story of an ordinary man who survived an extraordinary event. It was an experience which affected him so deeply that for over 25 years his story has remained untold - until now.