Uphill All the Way
A Crew Member's Inside Story of the BT Global ChallengeBy Alan Sears
200 pp. 20 color photos. 1998. Paperback. $19.95
ISBN 1 57409 053 4
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Considered by many to be “the worlds toughest yacht race,” the BT Global Challenge lives up to its name in every respect. While sailing 30,000 miles “the wrong way” around the world, crews brave icebergs, snowstorms, and hurricane force winds. What's more, the fourteen identical participating yachts are often crewed by amateurs with little or no previous sailing experience.
In Uphill All the Way, author Alan Sears eloquently describes what drew him to the challenge, and how he overcame his personal doubts and fears to take on the adventure of a lifetime. From the early days of training to the gruelling routine of the race itself, and from the awesome sights of the Southern Ocean to the rapturous return nine months later, this enthralling firsthand account lets readers experience the exhilarating ordeal for themselves.
“Uphill All the Way is a must-read for anyone considering applying for the Challenge 2000; others should read it with caution. It might well make you pick up the phone, call the Challenge office (as Sears did), and say, “Hello, I want to sail around the world.’” —SAIL
“This book, besides being an interesting read, gives good problem-solving tips and ideas. It is an invaluable source for anyone considering joining such a racing group.” —The ENSIGN
About the Author:
Alan Sears was a British cycling champion at sixteen and a professional guitarist at forty. In between, he worked a variety of jobs and eventually ran his own marketing and training consultancy. Introduced to sailing by two friends, he had done “a little south coast cruising” when he signed up to sail around the world on the BT Global Challenge.