This is the extraordinary true story of Goss's dream to compete in the Vendee Globe, a non-stop, single handed round-the-world yacht race. With boundless determination and some personal sacrifice, he manages to finance the building of his boat, the Aqua Quorum, and on November 3, 1996, embarks on the most grueling competition of his career. Close to the Wind is as inspiring and thrilling for the reader as it was for the crowd of 150,000 who gathered at the finish line to cheer not the race's winner, but its hero.