British yachtsman Adrian Flanagan sailed into the record books in spring 2008 when he became the first sailor ever to circumnavigate the globe solo through the icebound Arctic. It was unquestionably the last great single-handed sailing prize to be claimed.Inspired at the age of 15 by Sir Francis Chichester's circumnavigation, Flanagan knew that the challenges of his quest would test the limits of his physical and mental endurance. His intrepid voyage - by the most difficult route imaginable - took him into the North Sea and Barents Sea, and over the top of Russia through the North East Passage, entering the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait. A southerly course towards New Zealand ended with a westward turn towards the southern tip of Africa. The home stretch was a northwest track towards the Cape Verde Islands, before heading northeast to make the run for home.This is a dramatic story in the extreme. Amongst many other adventures, he was trapped by Arctic ice, washed overboard, dislocated both wrists, faced two knock-downs at Cape Horn and was chased by pirates off Brazil. But success in his 38-foot sloop Barabbas means that Flanagan has joined the ranks of the solo circumnavigating yachtsmen and women who have achieved sailing firsts. Over the Top is an inspirational account of an epic voyage and a 30-year-old dream eventually fulfilled.