Around the World Alone.

COLAS, Alain. Translated by J. F. Bernard.

$40.00

Item Number: 115225

New York: Barron's/Woodbury, 1978.

First edition of Colas’ riveting account of his 1978 voyage around the world aboard his 70-foot trimaran the Manureva. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with 20 color plates. From the library of of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

In September of 1973, Alain Colas set off in his 70-foot trimaran, the Manureva, to round Cape Horn and rival the old clipper ships which carried wool, wheat, and gold to the opposite ends of the world. Having won the transatlantic Race in 1972, and setting a new world record, he planned a voyage of 30,000 miles with Sydney, Australia, as his first and only stop. He spent 169 days at sea - alone. This is the story of that voyage.