Steve Ashley was an 18-year-old sailmaker living in England when he was asked to crew on a 34-foot yacht for the 1979 Fastnet Race. Little did he know, like the rest of those scattered on the 303 boats who took part that year, he was about to be involved in one of the most notorious races of all time and one that led to the largest combined rescue operation since the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940.
Steve talks about the leadup to that race, the fact they received no warning about the ferocity of the storm they were sailing into, what happened when hurricane-strength winds hit in the middle of the night and how he and the rest of the crew on board went about ensuring their survival when others perished.
Steve has found himself in dicey situations many times, and also talks about a notorious passage he had from Bermuda to New York, as well as his role in the early days of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Ep 32 - Tim Dempsey and Brendan Tourelle
Ep 31 - Peter Montgomery
Ep 30 - Rosie Chapman
Ep 29 - Max Sirena
Ep 28 - Dr Dave Austin
Ep 27 - Elana Connor
Ep 26 - Simon van Velthooven
Ep 25 - Shirley Robertson
Ep 24 - Jim Turner
Ep 23 - Nigel Blackbourn
Ep 22 - Conrad Colman
Ep 21 - 1987 Admiral's Cup
Ep 20 - Coastal Classic Special
Ep 19 - Nathan Outteridge
Ep 18 - Graeme Sinclair
Ep 17 - Sally Garrett
Ep 16 - Alistair Moore
Ep 15 - Barbara Kendall
Ep 14 - Harold Bennett
Ep 13 - Hamish Willcox
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