Former premier of Tasmania, Will Hodgman, is to launch ‘Blue Water Classics: Portraits of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race’, to be hosted by Fullers Bookshop at the RACV Hotel in Hobart on early Friday evening.
Hodgman resigned after six years as Premier to spend more time with his young family. He had a close affiliation with the Sydney Hobart during his tenure, making him the ideal choice to launch the new coffee table book by Andrew Wilson, author of the much-loved series ‘Old Sea Dogs of Tasmania’, in collaboration with journalist and Sydney Hobart Media Director Di Pearson.
Some tickets are still available for the book launch, to RSVP go to https://www.fullersbookshop.com.au/event/blue-water-classics/
The 520-page book, which is on the Australian Booksellers Association Christmas list, was released last week and is already selling well via the official website and major bookshops Australia wide.
For those wanting one of the limited signed Deluxe editions, 140 have been sold from 500, so order quickly to avoid missing out.
Tracy Matthews, Immediate Past Commodore of the RYCT emailed; “My book arrived yesterday. It’s beautiful! A 'must have' for anyone who loves our Great Race.” Another happy reader commented: “What a magnificent work of art! And what a legacy to your passion and dedication to the production from start to finish.”
Blue Water Classics takes readers behind the scenes via a vast array of intimate and drama-filled interviews with some of the legends of the race, inclusive of owners, competitors, officials, search and rescue personal and more.
The interviews are interspersed by Pearson’s personal accounts from her 30 plus years involvement in a sporting event watched by millions every year and are illustrated by over 400 portraits and seascapes captured by Wilson during the four years he documented the race.
Each photo captures the salt encrusted faces of yachties and breathtaking scenery from the start on Sydney Harbour to rounding Tasman Island, sailing in Storm Bay and finishing under the mountain in Hobart to cheering crowds.
Combined, these ocean racing escapades encapsulate the Sydney Hobart’sline honours and overall winning victories, the near misses, disputes, rivalries and emotive accounts of the tragic storm ravaged years synonymous with this iconic race.
What early reviewers said:
“This is a rare book on the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, full of stories about the sailors – the women and men who participate and challenge the elements of nature every year between Boxing Day and New Year.
“The underlying thread in all the stories has been the challenge, the skill, the seamanship and, most importantly, the comradeship – as well as, in some cases, the incredible story of survival.” – David Kellett, AM, Australian yachting identity/yachting administrator/past winner of the J.H. Illingworth Trophy and Tattersall Cup
“An extraordinary book. Amazing photos supported by great story telling. The Sydney Hobart is tougher than the Round the World Race and without a doubt the most challenging offshore race on the planet. A huge thanks to Andrew and Di for undertaking this monumental task with such a fantastic result.” – Geoff Stagg, international yacht designer/elite yachtsman
Publication Details
Blue Water Classics is self-published by the author and is available at bluewaterclassics.com.au and in all major book shops Australia-wide
Standard Edition RRP $59.99 incl GST
Limited signed and numbered Deluxe Edition RRP $125 incl GST
By Everything Everything media
