Into the Storm: Lessons in Teamwork from the Treacherous Sydney to Hobart Ocean Race

In the face of turmoil and tragedy, a crew of “amateur” sailors piloted their tiny vessel—the AFR Midnight Rambler—through a treacherous storm in order to achieve victory in a world-renowned sailing competition. Their triumph—perhaps even their survival—owes itself to their astonishing commitment to teamwork: an alchemy of cooperation, trust, planning, and execution. Author Dennis N.T. Perkins chronicles their nearly four-day ordeal and draws parallels to the world of business, revealing how teams can work together to overcome obstacles and succeed during difficult times. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is among the most demanding sailing competitions in the world. Unpredictable seas make the approximately-630-nautical-mile course grueling under the best conditions, but the 1998 race proved to be the most perilous to date when a sudden and violent storm struck. Winds gusted over 100 mph and monstrous 80-foot waves towered over boat masts. Six sailors perished and another 55 were saved in what became the largest search and rescue operation in Australia's history. But even while bigger, better-equipped yachts attempted to maneuver around the storm, Ed Psaltis and his crew on the AFR Midnight Rambler made the daring decision to head directly into its path.