Aussie among the Frenchmen

We review Nick Moloney's new book Chasing the Dawn

Australian America's Cup and Whitbread sailor turned singlehander Nick Moloney is no stranger to the pages of thedailysail being a skipper within the Offshore Challenges Racing Team and presently lining up for November's Vendee Globe aboard Ellen MacArthur's form steed, now renamed Skandia.

Moloney has recently had a book published entitled 'Chasing the Dawn' which focusses on his experience as the only Anglo-Saxon aboard Bruno Peyron's Orange maxi-catamaran when they won back the Jules Verne Trophy, sailing non-stop around the world in the spring of 2002.

The book is written in Moloney's own particular vernacular which adds greatly to this personal account. But the story is one of the great tales from the recent history of our sport and is ably recounted by Moloney made all the more endearing because he is a sensitive individual who openly professes self-doubt.

In the book Moloney describes a little about his background and the history of the Jules Verne Trophy and how Peyron was the first to capture it in 1993 and the attempts that have been made on it since. But the bulk of the book covers the voyage itself including the multitude of highs and lows - such as the top of the mast snapping off within minutes of making their first attempt and the titanium ball at the bottom of the wingmast cracking on their return up the Atlantic.

For those who followed Orange's voyage through thedailysail or elsewhere Moloney's book fills in much of the detail which you just don't hear about until after the event. It also provides great insight into life on board a maxi catamaran being sailed to the max, and the book makes great use of the emails Moloney sent back from on board during the voyage. Particularly good are Moloney's description of the Southern Ocean and their encounter with big conditions down there.

Aside from Moloney's words Chasing the Dawn is littered with exceptional photos by leading French photographer Gilles Martin-Raget as well as on board shots taken during their voyage by crewman Jean-Baptiste Epron.

The books costs £17.95 (excluding P&P). To purchase a copy - click here