Donald Crowhurst is a brilliant inventor with a failing business. When he hears about the Golden Globe Race offering publicity and cash to the fastest to sail around the world, it feels like the perfect solution. Betting his business and his home on success, Crowhurst sets off in a high-tech trimaran.
Soon, the brutal Southern Ocean starts to look too much for his boat. Alone at sea, under mounting pressure, Crowhurst has a bold idea. If he radios in the right coordinates, no one needs to know he’s not where he claims to be.
For ad-free listening, monthly bonus episodes, monthly behind-the-scenes conversations, our newsletter, and more, please consider joining the Cautionary Club.
Further reading
The Sunday Times journalists Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall’s book is The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst. Nigel Tetley’s memoir is called Trimaran Solo. Our two scripts on the Golden Globe race also relied on the books A Race Too Far by Chris Eakin, and A Voyage For Madmen by Peter Nichols, and Stewart Brand’s new book Maintenance: Of Everything. Erving Goffman’s book is The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.