Fighting Finish awarded

Official book of the last Volvo Ocean Race voted best sports book

Fighting Finish, the official story of the Volvo Ocean Race, has been voted Best Sports Book of 2002 at the Independent Publisher Book Awards in America. This is an annual competition dedicated to recognising and honouring books published by presses not owned by publicly traded corporations, ranging in size from small publishers to major university presses.

952 publishers entered more than 1,500 titles in 52 categories in this year’s Independent Publisher Book Awards. One winner and two finalists were selected in each category.

According to Alex Kahan of Nomad Press the publisher of Fighting Finish, "we are thrilled that Fighting Finish has won this prestigious award. The Independent Publisher Book Awards creates a level playing field where both small and large independent publishers can compete on equal terms."

Fighting Finish: The Volvo Ocean Race Round the World 2001-2002 presented Nomad Press with the challenge of creating a book that would live up to the reputations of the contributors: “To have been able to work with some of the world’s best sailing photographers and Gary Jobson, one of sailing’s living legends, was an opportunity of a lifetime,” says Kahan. “To have your peers recognise the quality of our work is incredibly gratifying – and more than makes up for the countless hours we spent getting the book just right.”

Susan Hale, managing editor of Nomad Press, will accept the award at a ceremony during Book Expo America in Los Angeles during early June.

Fighting Finish is available in bookstores around the world. Written by international sailor Gary Jobson, it features outstanding photography by Rick Tomlinson, the official photographer for the event, along with stunning images from many of the world’s leading marine photographers. The crews themselves captured the drama as it unfolded, and their words and images are published in Fighting Finish.

Fighting Finish, published by Nomad Press, is available through any major bookshop or by ordering online at www.volvooceanrace.org or www.nomadpress.net priced at $44.95 plus postage and packing. It is 12 x 9 inches in diametre and contains 168 full-colour pages with 300 colour illustrations.