04 June 2018
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Falmouth to celebrate 50th anniversary of round the world feat
Falmouth will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the most historically significant and pioneering small boat sailing achievements during the last century, from 11-14 June 2018.
Falmouth will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the most historically significant and pioneering small boat sailing achievements during the last century, from 11-14 June 2018.
14th June 1968 was the day that Robin Knox-Johnston set out from Falmouth in his yacht, Suhaili, at the start of the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in an attempt to become the first man to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation.
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His epic voyage took 312 days, with little human contact or communication with the outside world. His only contact, his radio, malfunctioned within two months of the voyage and it wasn’t until he was off the shores of New Zealand that he found out he was in the lead and only four of the nine participants were still in the race. His next contact with the outside world was just outside of the Azores, where he managed to get a message to Falmouth to say that he would be arriving within the next two weeks.
On April 22 1969, Sir Robin entered Falmouth Harbour as a modern hero of our times as the sole finisher, leaving behind him a trail of broken boats and spirits. His first meal? A well-earned steak, followed by lemon meringue pie at The Chain Locker, a pub that still stands at the water’s edge today.
The celebrations
Today, 20 renowned sailors are due to enter the Golden Globe race, many of which will join Sir Robin and the Suhaili for their onward journey on 14th June, to the start of the race. Falmouth is also looking forward to welcoming a healthy flotilla of French yachts to support this landmark Falmouth event.
Sir Robin Knox Johnston sails in to Falmouth on June 11th, where he will be joined by two other historic solo circumnavigator vessels, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV, and Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady.
All yachts will be moored at the Falmouth Haven Marina and a series of exhibitions and talks are planned in the town’s creative venues during the 3-day event.
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