Flight of the Fantasist: The Race Around the World - Part 2

About this episode

The episode explores Donald Crowhurst's ill-fated attempt to win the Golden Globe Race by deceiving the world about his location.

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. WARNING: This episode discusses death by suicide. If you are suffering emotional distress or having suicidal thoughts, support is available - for example, from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US, or the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123. For a full list of show notes, see timharford.com .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

• sailing
• adventure
• mental health

Keywords

• Golden Globe Race
• Donald Crowhurst
• Southern Ocean
• suicide

Mentioned in this episode

Products: trimaran

Books & works: Flight of the Fantasist: The Race Around the World

Places: Southern Ocean, US, UK

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