Woman of Steel, the toughest yacht race ever, as told by the only female skipper

Cherry Vivien with Keith Wheatley

Published by Adlard Coles Nautical, hardcover with dustjacket, illustrated.

Experts told Chay Blyth he was mad. No one would pay £15,000 to be wet, cold and hungry racing around the world in a yacht against the prevailing wind and currents.

Within 48 hours of the British Steel Challenge being announced Blyth had confounded the sceptics. He was sold out three times over and had his 130 crew volunteers.

But what of the 10 skippers he hired to drive, cajole and coach the amateur helmsmen 28,000 miles around the globe? Although experienced racing sailors in their own right, this small group were to be placed in a unique and taxing role. Half nanny, half slavedriver, each skipper discovered the true loneliness of command.

Vivien Cherry was the sole woman amongst the 10. At 32 she had a successful career as an environmental engineer and a background as a single-handed ocean racer when she signed up with the Challenge.

Instantly her yacht, Coopers & Lybrand, became the focus of intense media attention.

Each leg of the race presented its own difficulties – navigational and human. Stopovers often presented more dramas than the weeks at sea. And in mid-race Viv's own leg became a factor when she became immobilised with a damaged knee needing immediate surgery.

By the finish line in the Solent, the race that started with doubts ended with a fanfare. Vivien's journey was both a part of that voyage and a compelling individual story of an unusual sailor in a unique situation.