America's Cup Books- Sailing on the Edge by Bob Fisher and others

by Doug Cuming on 15 Aug 2013 As the Louis Vuitton Cup is hotting up towards the finals, two new books have been released covering the latest AC72 catamarans and their journey to the Americas Cup final next month.

Veteran yachting journalist Bob Fisher has teamed up with Kimball Livingston, Ivor Wilkins, Mark Chisnell and James Boyd to produce Sailing on the Edge, a full sized, full-color quality book complete with pull-out race maps, boat diagrams, special decals, and memorabilia. It is a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the race that has inspired sports enthusiasts and nations alike for more than 150 years. It covers the Cup’s rich history, tracing its evolution to becoming the most important sailing race in the world. Recent advancements in technology and design have introduced two new classes of boats: the wing masted AC45 catamarans used in the Americas Cup World Series; and the spectacular foiling AC72s, able to sail at over twice the wind speed hitting speeds over 45 knots on the downwind legs. Sailing on the Edge covers the science behind the shipbuilding and the artistry and strength of the skippers and their teams. The 34th America’s Cup brings the international competition back to the United States for the first time in eighteen years, and the stunning San Francisco Bay provides the backdrop for the two final stages.

Boat Books Code 7364, $90.00, HB 220p.

Americas Cup San Francisco – The Official Guide is a junior version of Sailing on the Edge, still with stunning photographs and covering the challengers and defender teams, the preceding Americas Cup World Series in the AC45s, the Louis Vuitton Cup and the Americas Cup races. It also includes the Americas Cup Map.

Boat Books Code 0216, $32.99, HB 102p.

The Americas Cup Map is a fold-out map of the racecourse for those planning to follow on the course or via the Internet. It includes a map of the city and surrounds, the BART transport system and the Napa Valley, famous for its quality wines and descriptions of some the local tourist attractions.

Boat Books Code 02161, $16.99.

Boat Books has a number of other quality Americas Cup Books:

An Absorbing Interest is a two-volume limited edition also by Bob Fisher and charts the history of sailing's most enigmatic and greatest prize. In two volumes it covers the drama, boat design, personalities and sheer fascination of the America's Cup, from 1851 in Cowes to 2003 in Auckland. It is illustrated with photographs, cartoons, paintings, charts and figures and can rightly claim to be the definitive history of the Cup.

Boat Books Code 02161, $495, 2 volumes HB each 271p.

The Challenge 1983 is a limited edition release covering the intricacies of the 1983 Americas Cup won by the Australians after 132 years in America’s hands. There are chapters on the history of the Cup, the Newport RI venue, one each on the yachts in the Challenger series and Defender trials. Bob Ross covers the Americas Cup finals, and there are indexes on the details of the races and the 12 Meter rule. It includes a signed letter from the Commodore of the New York Yacht Club and is a beautiful book bound in black leather with gold titling and rests in a velour lined Rosewood box.

Boat Books Code 1520, $525, HB 310p

These books and more are available at Boat Books Australia’s Sydney or Melbourne stores or via the Web (www.boatbooks-aust.com.au) or contact them on 1300 262 826.