Circa 1968: Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo non-stop around the World, aboard his 32ft 5in yacht SUHAILI. Pictured here returning to Falmouth, England on 22 April 1969 to complete the 30,123 mile voyage in 313 days – an average of 4.02knots.
Image: BILL ROWNTREE/PPL

Marine businesses across Falmouth will be joining together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the most historically significant small boat sailing achievements during the last Century.  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.

Although packed to the gunnels with provisions for his journey, last minute essentials were picked up from the UK’s oldest and longest trading chandlery, Bosun’s Locker in Falmouth, before heading out on his 30,000 mile voyage.  Bosun’s Locker is still operating today in Falmouth’s vibrant and award-winning high street.

Sir Robin comments:  “Falmouth is one of the last stops as far west as you can get.  By starting the race there, I was able to avoid heavier traffic up the channel, giving me the best start for the race.”

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 that only four of the nine participants were still in the race. His next contact with the outside world was just off 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 22nd 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 and that has recently received a multi-million pound renovation and re-opening by St Austell Brewery.

This year, 18 sailors are due to enter the Golden Globe Race. Celebrations commence with a visually stunning Parade of Sail around Falmouth Harbour led by Sir Robin in his historic yacht Suhaili.

Sir Robin Knox Johnston sails in to Falmouth on June 11th, where he will be joined by two other historic solo circumnavigation yachts: 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 three-day event.

Falmouth has long been known as a busy and entrepreneurial centre for the marine trade and leisure sector. Nine of the 18 yachts entered in this year’s Golden Globe Race were produced by local builders, Rustler Yachts (six) and The Falmouth Boat Company (three).

Falmouth’s natural harbour is one of the deepest in the world and has seen many famous names in sailing set sail from its shores, including pioneer Charles Darwin and Dame Ellen MacArthur.  It is also one of the first deep ports on the South West of England and often a first stop for large boats in need of repair.

Diary of Suhaili 50 Falmouth events:

11th June:

  • Arrival of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Suhaili as well as the 2018 Golden Globe Race fleet at Falmouth Haven Marina

12 – 13th June:

  • Falmouth Haven Marina (adjacent to Custom House Quay) open to the public to view the historic fleet each day from 11.00am – 20:00pm. There will also be a small marquee with historic images illustrating Sir Robin’s achievements 50 years ago

12th June:

  • Arrival of Gipsy Moth IV and Lively Lady
  • 2018 Golden Globe Race skipper conference
  • St Mawes Sailing Club Golden Globe Race cocktail party for skippers, event organisers, friends and families. Suhaili, Gipsy Moth IV and Lively Lady will be moored just off the St Mawes harbour wall for this. This is a ticketed invite-only event

13th June:

  • Midday – 2018 Golden Globe Race Press Conference and public presentation of skippers
  • 14:00pm – Book Launch and signing. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on Seamanship & Seafaring at The Falmouth Bookseller, Church Street, Falmouth
  • 16:00-17.00pm – Illustrated talk recalling the highs and lows of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s incredible voyage and triumphant return to Falmouth 50 years ago. The Poly. A must-attend event! Details to be confirmed ASAP
  • 18.00pm until late – Suhaili Evening at The Chain Locker Pub with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in attendance early and later into the evening
  • 19:30pm – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston pre-Parade dinner at The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. This is a ticketed event. Details on purchasing tickets will be announced very shortly
  • 22:00pm – Firework display over Falmouth’s harbour and bay, illuminating many of the town’s award-winning attractions including the historic waterfront and Pendennis Castle

14th June:

  • 10:00am – Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail. Suhaili leads the historic yachts, the 2018 Golden Globe Race Fleet and a flotilla of supporting boats on a celebratory tour of Falmouth harbour, starting from Custom House Quay and taking in St Mawes and Pendennis Point and Castle
  • 13:30pm – Start of the SITRaN Charity Race from Pendennis Point to Les Sables d’Olonne, France, the first stage of the 50th anniversary Golden Globe Race which will commence from the French port on Sunday July 1st
  • Falmouth is also very much looking forward to welcoming a healthy flotilla of French yachts to support this landmark Falmouth event

The post Ocean pioneer sets sail from Falmouth once again appeared first on All At Sea.