Godforsaken Sea: The True Story of a Race Through the World's Most Dangerous Waters by Derek Lundy

by Derek Lundy

"Non-fiction it may be, but it contains all the tension of a thriller" Stuart Alexander, The Independent The Vendee Globe is a 27,000 mile, single-handed yacht race through the world's most treacherous seas. A four month journey where the sailors pit themselves against icebergs, hurricane-force winds and waves the height of six-storey buildings. On 3 November 1996 sixteen sailors, including Tony Bullimore and Pete Goss set out. Only six crossed the finishing line, six others withdrew or were disqualified for seeking outside help, three were plucked from sinking boats while the world watched and one disappeared without trace. It is a captivating tale. "This is a book which vividly transcends its immediate brief as a narrative of the race and those who sailed it, and presents a gripping and poetic evocation of the terrible and seductive power of the sea" John Tague, The Independent on Sunday

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Sports, History, Nautical, Biography, Travel

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Numidica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Southern Ocean does not appear on any map of the world, but it is well known to serious sailors as the awe-and-fear-inspiring area south of 40 degrees south latitude. The ferocity of the winds, waves and storms there is unparalleled, yet this is the part of the world where sailors in the great round-the-world races must go. There are parts of the Southern Ocean that are so remote from Australia and Chile that practically speaking rescue is impossible if something goes wrong. As Derek Lundy says, you might as well be on the Moon. In writing this review, I thought about whether this book would appeal to non-sailors; I am a sailor, and I can tell you this book gripped me, hard, but I concluded that in the same way that Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air held me rapt, even though I am not a mountain climber, Godforsaken Sea could appeal to those who have never set foot on a boat.

The author begins with a description of his own experience as a cruising sailor in a “yachtsman’s gale”, and I share that history – I once sailed for 18 hours in Force 8 winds with gusts to Force 9, and there was nothing about it that I could describe as fun (though it made a good story later). Fyi, Force 8 / 9 translates to winds in the high 30’s (knots) with gusts to low 40’s, or in mph, 40 to 50mph. The competitors in the Vendee Globe Race, which is the book’s subject, regularly sailed in winds above 60 knots, and sometimes sailed in hurricane force winds. To say that the skill needed to do that without dying is above the level of most mortals doesn’t quite cover it. For those who do know something about sailing, here’s a good way to illustrate what these magicians do (paraphrasing the book): these guys can be sailing downwind with 35 knot winds, flying a spinnaker and mainsail, riding the crests of 25 foot breaking waves, and then do a controlled gybe, at night, singlehanded. The level of skill and nerve required to do what these men and women do for weeks and months in the Southern Ocean is in a class of it’s own.

The story of Pete Goss’s upwind beat for 150 miles to try to save the life of Raphael Dinelli is inspiring and amazing. It is a highlight of the book, told with skill and grace by Derek Lundy. It always makes my heart rise when I hear these sorts of stories, wherein one sailor puts his or her life at stake to obey the unwritten law of the sea: that those capable of it must render aid to other mariners in distress. If you are around real sailors for a while, one finds this generosity of spirit to be among the very best things about being in their company. It is the camaraderie of those who know, truly, there but for the grace of the sea gods go I. After the story of Goss' rescue got out the French press uniformly referred to him without irony as l'heroe Pete Goss.

Certainly I loved this book because I appreciate the wonders of skill these people performed on the sea, but also because, like them, I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so I get these people, at least a little. One of the woman competitors tells the story of being on deck in 50 knot winds when her boat was knocked down by a wave, and she had two thoughts in immediate succession: she wondered at the beauty of the blue and turquoise ocean colors (one who has seen the particular blue of ocean where it is thousands of feet deep knows what she means), and then thought, "Well it's sad to die at only 34 years old". But then her boat slowly righted itself and she was saved. It is telling, that while all the sailors were heartily glad to round Cape Horn and head north of 40 degrees again, almost every one of them said the same thing months later: “I want to go back”. I understand that. Ocean sailing is one of the few remaining activities where one is truly free of the minutiae and bureaucracy of modern life, where one is totally responsible for the little world you occupy - your boat. Life can be hard, but choices are clear.

I liked how Derek Lundy worked into the book's chapter names and headings quotes from famous chroniclers of the sea, and how he made frequent reference to the earlier sailors like Moitessier and Knox-Johnston, who did this same route in the Golden Globe Race of 1968. This book is a good companion to A Voyage for Madmen, by the way, but read Voyage for Madmen first. And if you are into this kind of thing, do yourself a favor and read Moitessier's The Long Way. I liked how the book seemed to become better and more compelling the further I got into it. Lundy as a writer is not Jon Krakauer, but he tells a compelling story with understanding and passion.

Highly recommended.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am fascinated by people who desire living on the edge, and find experiencing their travails vicariously through books is the best for me, cause you wouldn't get me coming near the top of Everest or, in this case, sailing solo on a four-month voyage around Antarctica and back to France. Yep, these folks are crazy. This book probably would have made a nice long article, and there were parts I just slipped through quickly, but it was still informative and thrilling. Just the thought of sleeping in a tinderbox in raging seas with icebergs and flotsam about all alone sends chills down my spine, and in fact, many of the competitors in this race got little downtime. The Vendee race is the ultimate in pushing the nautical envelope. Nevertheless, there were a lot of fortunate sailors in these pages. And despite their harrowing experiences, they all seem to want to immediately get back into the Southern waters. More power to them.

My biggest gripe with this book is that there were way too many typos, possibly gained through the LP process. It is almost as if they scanned the pages and went with what they got. Please, hire some copy editors.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

'There are no atheists in foxholes, goes the old saying. Nor in small boats in storms.' 3.5 stars

[Disco Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about ocean voyages and books that are well researched, so this was a direct hit. The stories of sailing solo through the storms and ice of the Southern Ocean are astounding, and the three rescues described in this book are literally unbelievable. I can't think of any voluntary activity more risky -- one where you have less ability to act/react in your own defense -- than being alone on a small boat in the Southern Ocean for 40+ days. Maybe the missions to the moon.

Mandy gave me this book and told me that her grandfather had required her to read it before she went sailing with him. I think if I had read this book before being invited to sail, I would refuse to go.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping. It's like taking a survey course on seamanship and man's search for meaning, through the story of this apocalyptic round-the-world race. "There are no atheists in foxholes, goes the old saying. Nor in small boats in storms." It helps to know a little sailing before you read this to get the full color of the situations Lundy describes--I love that he doesn't shy from sailing terms, like beating across the Bay of Biscay at a "close haul". But even if you don't, this book is hard to put down and steeped in sailing history and literature, from Viking boats to square-riggers to modern single-handed sailing.

Fair winds and following seas, Gerry Roufs.

[Abra Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the Vendee Globe long-distance sailing race done by a single sailor around the world, essentially around Antarctica. I really enjoyed all the discussion about the racers and their experiences in the especially harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean. I got a little bogged down in the sections on the details of the boats and the technical aspects of sailing. I'm not a sailor and don't know much about it. It was suspenseful in whether or not the contestants would even be able to finish the race and make it out alive. Good book!

[Raymond Cushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many, many years ago and thought it was a tremendous read. Highly recommended. Even after all these years, one line still resonates with me. If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

[Nancy Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to follow. at a petrol station in the middle of nowhere. loved this though

Review: This was one of those books where when I started it I was already sad knowing I'd have to finish. I love stories about the sea, and I am obsessed with stories about real-life adventure and survival. This delivered in spades, and long-distance sailing is now up there with mountaineering and polar exploration in supplying me with heroes to worship.

Godforsaken Sea is about the Vendee Globe, a single-handed race which begins and ends in France but which, for the most part, takes place in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. Aside from being the most dangerous ocean in the world, it is the most remote, and in places the racers were thousands of miles from the nearest inhabited spot. Waves dozens and dozens of feet high, storms with hurricane-strength winds and icebergs appearing out of nowhere, and these people go there in tiny little fiberglass boats, alone. Just blows my mind.

This book is about sailing, and I definitely learnt a lot of new stuff, including a few references to other famous books on the topic. But it's mainly about the people who undertake this insane journey, and what motivates them and makes them different. For the most part they are incredibly disciplined, self-sufficient and calm, but my favourite parts were the unavoidable humanity--the woman who took a tiny garden along so she could have fresh greens, the French sailors who (despite ruthless weight-saving measures) all took a few bottles of wine along, the English sailor making constant cups of tea.

There is a reason why I love these kinds of stories, and many of the racers in this book mention how they experienced this themselves: they went to a place where control was taken from them, where their decisions had only as much influence as the sea allowed, and where their lives were dwarfed and made utterly insignificant by the devastating, raw force of nature. On her return, one of the women said that she found she was calmer, less temperamental than before, because 'nothing is that important'. We are so surrounded by a world of our own making that small things can begin to matter so much, and we forget that it can all be taken away in an instant. Just calm down.

I'll definitely be reading a lot more in this topic. Can't wait.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand the high average rating for this book. It reads like a series of newspaper clippings from the sports section - a monotonous series of brief, dry recitations of notable (in the yachting fraternity) sailors or crews, meticulously detailed with jargon. It doesn't seem to be written as a book to be enjoyed by landlubbers.

[Paul Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Southern Ocean contains that pint on earth that is farthest from any land. Its' about 1,660 miles equidistant from Pitcairn Island, the 'Bounty' mutineers' last refuge, and Cape Dart on Antarctica. .. Only a few astronauts have ever been farther from land than a person on a vessel at that position."

"He saved weight every way he could -- right down to slicing off half his toothbrush. But any skipper could do that (and many did)."

"French crews, he said, were very tough and motivated, but they just couldn't get along together. They never jelled. He much preferred his experience with Anglo-Saxon crews; American, English, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander all mixed up together. There was a natural coalescence into a smoothly functioning group. Authority was asserted, acknowledged, deferred to with an easy and unresentful effortlessness. There was none of the prickly testiness of the French crews he had sailed with. .. This was Autissier's observation as well. It was probably impossible to catalog the exact reasons -- they were inextricably immersed in the stew of experience, history, and chance, which induced people to behave one way and not another. But there wasn't any doubt: the French weren't particularly interested in team sailboat races."

"The sea's saltiness made its water as undrinkable as sand. Saint-Exupery describes how, in the desert, the stranded flyer would fist drink his urine, perhaps a little blood, then gasoline or diesel fuel, and, finally, battery acid. Any liquid to stave off the body's desiccation."

"They usually survive, although their crews' nervous systems are never the same afterward. It has never happened to me. If it ever does, I'll take the old sailor's traditional retirement; walk inland carrying an oar until someone says, "What's that?," buy a chicken farm on that very spot, and never move."
"I once read about a U.S. freighter that arrived in Yokohama after crossing the northern Pacific from San Francisco. When it docked, the crew discovered parts of a sailboat's mast and rigging lodged in the ship's anchors, which were secured at the bow. No one had been aware of a collision, but somewhere in that vast ocean, someone's luck had run out."

"Remember what this is like; the five- or six-story buildings, some even higher; the toppling crests, two stories or so high, with their tons of avalanching water moving at thirty miles an hour; the wind lulling in the troughs of the waves as the sea to windward blocks it, the boat losing speed and steerageway; the long, steep-angled climb to the wave top, the wind increasing in force as the boat climbs until, on the crest, the full force of wind accelerates the boat down the fifty-foot slope of the wave into the next trough."

"Knox-Johnston commented on the silly talk or writing he sometimes came across about sailors " conquering the sea". No one ever does that, he said. "It's always left on the battlefield; you're not. You might escape unscathed, but you never conquer it."

"Because you feel you are living something so strong. You have to push your limits. Every day, you are at your ultimate limits. The force of life is so strong there. Sometimes you feel it's too much for you, but after you've left it, you feel it was the most important time in your life. You live at a higher level, a higher speed. With the strongest sensations about everything."

"Below forty degrees south there is no law; below fifty degrees south there is no God. -- Old Sailor's Saying"

[Larry Bone · Rating 5 out of 5]

In its 20th Anniversary edition, "Godforsaken Sea" by Derek Lundy is a sailboat racing classic on a number of levels. Most importantly it very precisely describes the Southern Ocean between Antarctica and South America with perhaps everything anyone needs to know about this treacherous tract of water that can be nature at its almost unconfrontable. There can be uncontrollable conditions: "The waves of the Southern Ocean roll around the world unimpeded by land."

It describes the legendary Vendee Globe single handed around the world race in loving detail. The next Vendee will be in 2024 at around the last week in November just after the U.S. Presidential elections. This book provides a great introduction to the 2024 start.

The brave men and women sailors who dare to sail this race are described in great detail acquired from interviews the author held with them after the race. They are calm but intensely focused and exhibit toughness way beyond any normal expectation: "These are guys who can go downwind in thirty knots of wind, surfing on twenty-foot seas, carrying a spinnaker. . ."

Contemporary grand prix racing yacht design is well explained, particularly the 60 foot IMOCA class used for single handed and team racing that is centered mostly in France. The new foiling evolution is not examined but some the aspects surrounding it's implementation are discussed.

The zen of it seems to be discovering whatever it actually takes to achieve an almost impossible goal. And also how to best deal with adversity or over the top danger that is always likely in the Vandee Globe. The high potential of super human possibility shows up at several points in this race account.

There is a lot of sailing nomenclature but the waves, the boats, and the sea are very well-explained so readers will understand even if they aren't very familiar with ultra competitive sailing or these big boats: "The spinnaker is the big, lightweight, pot-bellied sail that's generally used to go downwind."

There are also a lot of Vendee Globe videos on YouTube that can supplement the book by getting the reader out on the water. Some of the most informative videos are by Boris Herrmann, a German sailor, a great marine communicator, whose new IMOCA for the next Vendee launches in August. You can also view archived race reports posts from the most recent Vendee Globe on the Scuttlebutt Sailing News blog. There is also a good diagram of the general race route and an excellent very exact drawing of a circa 1996 IMOCA racer; its hull construction, keel, deck hardware and sail controls.

One of the best chapters is titled, "The Soul of the New Machine" which examines how these thoroughbred boats are designed: "With its wide beam and flat, shallow profile, the boat will tend to pound, flopping from one crest to the next. It won't be able to pierce the waves as efficiently as a narrower, deeper boat."

The race itself is quite a thriller, but this race and this book are not for the faint hearted. There are the huge psychological highs and lows that might accompany any big challenge. But there can be an interesting payoff from any near-death experience; "You know, if you nearly buy it, but then you don't, life's bloody really got to be shiny and nice. It has to look a lot better," Vendee Globe sailor, Tony Bullimore tells Derek Lundy.

The gift of this book is that most readers will probably feel more able to deal well with any life challenge or adversity after reading it.

[Dace Znotiņa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reizē plašs un informatīvs pētījums un arī aizkustinošs stāsts par vienām no sarežģītākajām solo burāšanas sacīkstēm pasaulē - brauciens apkārt pasaulei vienatnē bez piestāšanas krastā. Tas pats par sevi jau ir varoņdarbs, ko vēl episkāku padara sacīkšu noteikumi un dabas bezkaislīgā un brīžam nežēlīgā realitāte.

Man patika, kā autors pastāsta gan par dalībniekiem, viņu gatavošanos. Iepazīstina ar visai savdabīgo sporta ekipējumu - ātrgaitas sacīkšu jahtu, un tās tapšanu un savā ziņā arī bojāeju. Un tad, protams, ir cilvēcīgais faktors, kas laužās cauri dabas spēkam, tehnoloģiju iespējām un trūkumiem, sacensību garam un savā ziņā arī pats sev. Stāsts par Dienvidu okeānu, vētru ragiem, ārprātīgu pārgurumu un tomēr cilvēcību tur, kur cilvēkam nemaz nevajadzētu būt. Grāmata, kas diezgan skaidri parāda, ka tur lejā nav nekādas romantikas, un ka cilvēks pret dabu ir niecība. Traģiskie atgadījumi un arī smalkais veiksmes pavediens saauž kopā kaut ko tik neiedomājami tālu (gan ģeogrāfiski, gan varonības skalā) ar to, kas katram ir blakus ikdienā - savas vietas meklējumiem un būt cilvēkam vislabākajā tā nozīmē.

Iesaku visiem piedzīvojumu meklētājiem un īpaši pārgalvjiem, lai mazliet nolaistu tvaiku un sajustu bijību. Bija vietas, kur aizlasījos stundām un nevarēju nolikt malā.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Derek Lundy paints vivid pictures with his prose and artfully interprets his subject in Godforsaken Sea. Often addressing philosophical questions implicit in the death-defying quest that is the Vendee Globe race, the book also thoroughly covers the relevant preceding history, such as the Golden Globe. In terms of content, Lundy balances the technical and historical information with compelling accounts of sailors narrowly averting disaster in extreme conditions and poignant analyses of their psychology.

As talented as he is at bringing to life the scenes he describes, however, Lundy is less inspired with logical transitions. The facts might be sort of unavoidably confusing because of the number of competitors and the similarity of circumstances, but it was difficult to keep any sense of chronological order or geographic location during the course of the book. It's still a great read and definitely hits all the right notes of adventure, awe and reflection, just not necessarily in the right order.

[Paul Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sailing could draw out of you those sublime moments of transcendence, when your limits, for a while, no longer limited you. Every man or woman a hero.”

Phenomenally written, Lundy portrays and thoroughly captures what it may be like racing a sailboat solo around the world. While the structure at times got a little confusing or drug on, at others I couldn’t put the book down, my heart pounding with every word. Fitting as the wind doesn’t always gust at Force 10 but sometimes doesn’t blow at all. It is truly remarkable what these sailors do, and Lundy is brilliant with interviewing and researching for an amazing presentation of what they are experiencing. A book forcing you to put things in perspective and reevaluate what you want.

[Calum Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much about an event, or people or a person; this book felt mostly to be about the southern ocean and Lundy’s obsession / fascination with it. Compared to Voyage for Madmen, this was less successful in being a story about an event. However it was more successful in describing the trials of the southern ocean and drumming into the reader it’s perils. The book can feel repetitive though, and I am not sure I would find reason to read it again.

An exception to the overall 4* good but not great feeling, is the story of Goss rescuing Dinelli at sea, which is astonishing and deserves telling and retelling.

[Bob Rosenbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I've read one book too many about round-the-world sailing. Derek Lundy's book about the 1996 Vendee Globe Challenge - which marked a technological turning point in this niche sport - was well-researched and provided stories of several of the sailors who started the round-the-world sprint. Some of them even made it home in one piece.
But it fell into the same trap as many books about esoteric topics: The explanations of strategy, tactics and boat handling were so abbreviated and fundamental that a non-sailor wouldn't struggle to make sense of them, and an experienced sailor would find them oversimplified to the point of distraction and irritation.
If ever there was a book that would have benefitted for diagrams and illustrations, this is it.
There are some truly good stories buried in this book, and on the whole I enjoyed it. But if you're only going to read one or two books about long-distance solo sailing, there are others that do a better job of conveying both the hardship and the technical aspects of the sport.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really fascinated by this book. I had no past knowledge of or particular interest in ocean sailing, but this story just mesmerized me, and I still feel that way many years later. What I noted at the time: Very interesting story about the 1996-97 Vendee Globe, a single-handed sailboat race from France to the perilous Southern Ocean, around Antarctica and back to France. It generally lasts 3.5+ months! Just fascinating, and requires true courage. It made me think of Into Thin Air, another favorite about people who need extremes to be happy.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an account of the 1996 Vendee Globe sailing race from the Bay of Biscay, down into the Southern Seas, around Antarctica and back past Cape Horn. The race is single handed and the sailor is disqualified if he/she enters any harbour along the way. It is an epic journey, only 6 boats out of 16 entered finished, one sailor was never seen again. I can recommend the book, the intricacies of sailing in the massive oceans of the far southern seas, and the tests of courage and endurance are well described.

[Hawk Mendenhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a book I’ve had for 25 years and has moved from Salt Lake to Austin to Santa Cruz—and it reads like a Stephen King horror story. The Vendeé Globe yacht race is a 24,000 mile adventure from France around Antarctica and back on solo helmed 60 foot sailboats that can’t make port along the way. They go through the Southern Ocean, the most desolate and unforgiving place on the planet. What these solo sailors and their boats go through is both extraordinary and nightmarish. It’s an amazing testament to the human spirit.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping account of sailing, this time of the Vendée Globe - a single-handed, non-stop, around-the-world race, which must count as one of the most audacious sporting events ever. The descriptions of the Southern Ocean are terrifying, and the stories of the participants in this particular race (1996-7) are fascinating and sometimes bizarre. I devoured the book over the course of some blustery nights on the coast of Ireland and enjoyed every minute of it.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a magnificent book. I’m lost for words. I would like to point out that I barely know a sail from a sale so if a sailing race book on the surface doesn’t really appeal to you, park those thoughts immediately if you enjoy wonderful writing of a fascinating story.

I am an avid reader and I’ve had the pleasure to read numerous excellent books in my lifetime. I would put this book easily in the top 2%-5% of all those books I’ve read. It is that good. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure

Brought the world of solo global sailing into detailed examination. Like the great adventure books, this tale is filled with drama, pathos, great jubilation, triumph over adversity, and heroism, all the more satisfying because it is all true. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it highly.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a normal book for me. Adventure sailing. But it sounded intriguing when I found it at a used bookstore in Grass Valley CA. Even though it was technical at times it didn’t disappoint. I cried, I was hopeful, I cheered the racers on in my mind. Racing solo for 4 months around Antarctica...wow!

[Philip Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started well - very well.
Then, about 3/4 of the way through, the author went “off topic” into his own personal and rather theoretical/philosophical ramblings which I felt were just padding the book out.

If he’d shortened the book by a hundred pages and stuck to the facts it would have been a more interesting read for me.

[Katherine Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t think I was going to like this book considering I’m not interested in sailing nor do I know anything about it, however Lundy made the story of the 1996-97 Vandée Globe hair raising, and exciting. Pages include a map of the race and of typical sailboat that is sailed with only the sailor, no other help. Crazy.

[Padraig Houlahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well told accounting of the 1996 Vendee Globe circumnavigation sailing race that captures the sailors' extreme passion and fanaticism. It does a great job of explaining just how remote and dangerous parts of the race are, and includes enough technical aspects to keep it interesting but not overwhelm.

[Christopher Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and through book on the 1996-1997 Vendee Globe race that covers not only much of the play by play action, but the visceral feel of the ocean and the challenges and decisions faced by the racers.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very compelling story. I would have given it 4 stars, but felt like it could have used some editing for the sequence of events. The description of events themselves were riveting. I am glad to learn about this race.

[Mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another audiobook finished while sewing. I enjoyed learning more about the difficulties of sailing. I admire the adventurous spirit of the sailors, but also don’t relate to the mindset at all. I do not understand risking your life for it.

A very emotional book that I am very glad to have read.