'A Challenge Too Far?'

A personal account of the BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race

One determined woman; a gruelling 10-month race.

Sailing novice and single parent Rona Cant gave up her job as a secretary to embark on the challenge of a lifetime when she joined the BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race.

Here, published in autumn 2003, is her amazing story; from the training, team building and preparations for such a massive undertaking, to the physical and mental challenges she and the team experienced. From the dramatic crash with one of the other yachts in New Zealand which caused severe damage and threatened their chances of completing the race to visits, to moving and sometimes hilarious accounts of profile-raising activities such as visits to Save the Children projects in Buenos Aires and Cape Town, A Challenge Too Far? has it all.

Filled with personal anecdotes of the highs and lows of life above and below decks, it is a triumphant account of how the team overcame all the hardships to achieve a successful circumnavigation of the world.

Foreward by Sir Chay Blyth, CBE, BEM

I am delighted to be writing a foreward for Rona Cant who epitomises the very person that the Global Challenge is aimed at - an individual who has the courage to leave the conventions of an 'ordinary' life and do something extraordinary!

Rona had goals and, from our very first meeting, struck me as a person never to sit back and let the world go by!

What people say about the book -

‘A damn good book!

Just finished your book and thought I'd write and say THANKS! I'm not really a reader and usually fall asleep pretty much after a books introduction, not this time!! I don't think I moved from the spot until I'd finished. How it brought back wonderful memories ofthe heads, sail changes, reefs etc and of course the people onboard our yellow submarine!!’  Jodie Moir

 

'Rona - just finished your book - wow - what a great story... ' Sharon Callaghan

 

‘I've just finished your book and would recommend it to anyone, and am already to several- from the stable and level floor of my house I could clearly imagine the concentration and hard work it took just to go to the loo.

From someone who thinks it's normal to pitch a racing car into a corner at 160mph when 161mph will be too fast the thought of months at a bouncy 30 degree angle 24 hours a day relying on a number of other people to maintain their competitive spirit in the face of changing attitudes and constant damp sounds heroic.

I'm delighted you went and even more delighted it has changed your life so much. Many congratulations and please send me the flyer for your sequel.’ Peter Wardle

 

‘I enjoyed reading your book Rona: I think the first "unofficial" account of our race I've read so far. I am glad you were very open about everything as this is why the book was so good. As you say the race is about the effect it has on us as individuals (and as a team) and you described that - although your team might have felt criticised. I admire your courage in telling how it was (for you). Next my son wants to read it having read the first couple of chapters over my shoulder!’ Martin Condor

 

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