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Robin Knox-Johnston image credit: PPL Robin Knox-Johnston image credit: PPL

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was born on 17th March 1939. He first sailed his sloop Suhaili from Bombay to India in 1965 but due to a lack of funds had to work in South Africa and so completed the journey in 1967.

Sir Robin and Falmouth

As with Dame Ellen nearly 30 years later, Sir Robin chose Falmouth as his port of departure and return for his solo round the world challenge. On 22 April 1969 and 20 days faster than his closest competitor, Sir Robin broke the world record and in the process became the fast person to sail single handed around the globe. Sir Robin is still a trustee of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

Records

He was the second winner of the Jules Verne Trophy (together with Sir Peter Blake). For this he was awarded with Blake, the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award.
In 2006 he became the oldest yachtsman to complete a round the world solo voyage in the VELUX 5 Oceans Race.

Other achievements

He was knighted in 1995 and founded the Clipper Round the World Yacht race in 1996. His involvement with Clipper Ventures has led to many people being introduced to the world of sailing.