Roaring eighties
Half a century ago one of the most exciting adventures in the history of sailing took place: the first Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. On April 22nd, 1969 the then penniless and 30-year-old William Robert Pat Knox-Johnston, better known as ‘Robin’, reached Falmouth in Cornwall, completing the solo journey that had kept him away from the terra firma for 312 days.
His only partners on the voyage were the Henri Lloyd brand, which had supplied him with sailing clothing, and plenty of Tennents beer – the hop-based drink that for a Briton is worth more than an oilskin. It was also a providential escort, as a crack in the fresh water tanks dangerously depleted his supplies, until he managed to collect rainwater from the salt-encrusted mainsail.
No one had solo circumnavigated the globe without a stop before. In the race were eight other competitors, including Chay
