A World of My Own The first ever non-stop solo round the world voyage

On Friday 14 June 1968 Suhaili, a tiny ketch, slipped almost unnoticed out of Falmouth harbour with a solitary figure at her helm; the modest, likeable, 29-year old merchant navy officer, Robin Knox-Johnston. Ten and a half months later Suhaili, paintwork peeling and rust streaked, her once white sails weathered and brown, sailed triumphantly back to Falmouth to a fantastic reception for the laughing young Englishman who had become the first man to sail round the world non-stop single-handed.

Robin Knox-Johnston entered the Merchant Navy at the age of 17, obtaining his Master's Certificate 8 years later. Of the 9 competitors he was the only one to complete the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968 after 312 days alone at sea and win the trophy for the first solo non-stop circumnavigation. Since then Robin has participated in many ocean races including the Whitbread, and in 1994 co-skippered Enza with Sir Peter Blake to set a new world record for a circumnavigation. He has been UK Yachtsman of the Year twice, International Yachtsman of the Year in 1995, and was knighted in 1995. He still owns and sails Suhaili.