The story of this Canadian sailor is above all linked to that of racing multihulls. Indeed, rather an adventurer than a sailor, this man fell in love with these boats and always shone in the first places during 20 years of ocean racing.
Nothing predisposed this young Canadian to the sea. This man began his professional life in the gold mines, in the oil derricks and especially as a cowboy before ending up as a mechanic in a car garage! It was only at the age of 40 that he had the opportunity to get on a sailboat and that he discovered this horizon and above all the freedom that the sea offers him.
After many miles of convoying between England and the Mediterranean on units more improbable than the others - he even crossed the Bay of Biscay on a 12 m JI! âeuros he registered for the OSTAR, the solo transatlantic race of the time.
But it's on his second run, the Route du Rhum 1978, that he will make a name for himself by finishing 98 seconds ahead of Michel Malinovsky. A small yellow trimaran of 9 m long stole the victory from the long monohull Kriter V. The trimarans showed their first superiority here. Without knowing it, Mike Birch had just made history.
This biography written by Olivier Péretié (a great reporter for L'Obs) looks back at the life of this sailor who does not feel he is a competitor, but who loves a job well done. For him, there is little difference between a race and a delivery trip. In both cases, you have to get your boat to port as quickly as possible and in the best possible condition.
The story of Mike Birch is linked to the development of racing multihulls with the research in this field, the link with the architect Newick, the construction of light boats and the advent of the plywood, the discovery of the compositeâeuros¦ The reader of this biography will enjoy (re)discovering the foundations of the current sailing.
In the book, the modesty of this exceptional sailor is well highlighted. This undoubtedly selfish man admits: "I have never done anything but what I wanted But also "I'll make a confession. I have always hated to talk about myself, or even just talk about myself." It took the patience of several journalists to convince this silent man of the importance of passing on his story. For this very rich life, which is devoured like a novel in this book, always has a red thread which is called freedom.
- Arthaud Publishing
- 13,4 x 22 cm
- 275 pages
- 21,00 euros
