50 years ago today, British yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston became the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and single-handed. He launched his solo voyage from the British Isles at age 29, in a 32-ft (9.8m) ketch. Despite losing his self-steering gear off Australia, he rounded Cape Horn and several months later arrived back in Falmouth, completing the trip in 312 days. He
authored several books and completed his second solo circumnavigation in 2007 at age 68—and is still sailing (he won a trophy at age 75) from his home base in London.
WATCH a video about the voyage... (1969)
