The Great Steamboat Race by John Brunner

Which steamboat is faster, Atchafalaya or Nonpareil? Fortunes depend
on the outcome. Thus the extremes to which people go to force a race,
and having forced it, to secure their desired outcome.

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/never-there-on-time

Technically off-topic but Brunner is mostly known for his SFF.
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My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
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