East Cowes author, Magnus Wheatley, has spent the last 4 months touring his book ‘There is no Second’ – the definitive account of the first race around the Isle of Wight in 1851 for what would become ‘America’s Cup’ – to large audiences on the Island and abroad.
His tour continues to the end of March with bookings on both the mainland and Isle of Wight upcoming.
To date, Magnus has delivered his lecture at some of the most prestigious and well-supported yacht clubs, starting with the newly refurbished Royal Ocean Racing Club in both Cowes and London, and on to the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Brading Haven Yacht Club, Lymington Town Sailing Club, Royal Lymington Yacht Club and Itchenor Sailing Club.
“Writing is a solitary existence for a number of years and then it becomes a highly sociable one touring the book. The response and has been fantastic and the people that I have met have been incredible. The Island in particular is steeped in knowledge and history of the America’s Cup with many descendants of the historical and legendary figures that I feature in the book, attending the lectures.”
Overseas, Magnus presented his book in Barcelona at the 37th America’s Cup where it was an official product and available in all the stores and hospitality areas, whilst also accepting an invitation to the prestigious New York Yacht Club that famously held the trophy for 132 years – the longest winning streak in international sport – before losing the Cup famously in 1983.
Sales have been truly international with the book available to buy on Amazon as well as at local shops like the Medina Bookstore in Cowes, as Magnus explains:
“I’m hugely indebted to Paul Armfield at Medina Bookstore who immediately saw the book’s potential and promoted it magnificently during Cowes Week and all the major sailing regattas. It has sold extremely well, and with the international distribution through Amazon, I am always amazed at where is sells – everywhere from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, across Europe and onto New Zealand and Australia, as well as Canada and America – even the Falkland Islands!”
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Magnus is keen to hear from any yacht club or other society on the Isle of Wight who would like to hear the lecture saying:
“It’s very much about the history and the Victorian period and resonates with both sailors and non-sailors alike. I would love to spread the net wider as it is a critical part of our Island’s history and a truly fascinating period.”
