Robin Knox-Johnston

Robin Knox-Johnston is a British sailor who became the first person to complete a nonstop, solo circumnavigation of the world, finishing in 1969 aboard Suhaili.

Suhaili: Suhaili is the 32-foot teak ketch aboard which Robin Knox-Johnston completed his 1968–69 solo circumnavigation. This small, traditional boat carried him through the entire nonstop voyage.
Solo circumnavigation: A solo circumnavigation is a journey around Earth completed by one person aboard a vessel. Knox-Johnston’s defining achievement was a solo passage around the world.
Chichester, New Zealand: Chichester is a town in New Zealand’s South Island where Robin Knox-Johnston was born in 1939. His birthplace preceded his move to Britain and career as a sailor.
Blue water sailing: Blue water sailing is ocean voyaging beyond the sight of land, often across remote waters. His voyage became a landmark in the public history of long-distance ocean sailing.
Sunday Times Golden Globe Race: The 1968–69 solo round-the-world sailing race was the first event of its kind. Knox-Johnston entered this race and became its only finisher.
Nonstop circumnavigation: A nonstop circumnavigation is a journey around Earth without stopping to resupply or receive outside assistance. The race’s rules required Knox-Johnston to complete the route without stopping.
Royal Navy: The Royal Navy is the United Kingdom’s naval warfare service. Knox-Johnston served in the Royal Navy before becoming a professional sailor.
Single-handed sailing: Single-handed sailing is operating a sailing vessel with only one person aboard. Knox-Johnston’s success helped establish solo ocean racing as a major sporting challenge.
Bernard Moitessier: Bernard Moitessier was a French sailor who abandoned the 1968–69 Golden Globe Race while leading and continued sailing toward Tahiti. His choice not to finish made Knox-Johnston the race’s sole finisher.
Cape of Good Hope: The Cape of Good Hope is a headland at the southwestern tip of Africa, a major landmark on ocean routes between the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Knox-Johnston sailed around it on his way into the Indian Ocean.

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Ellen MacArthurRelated: Knox-Johnston established the solo, non-stop circumnavigation tradition in which MacArthur later set a speed record.