Dateline Falmouth UK: 14th June 2018

A 200-strong armada and spectators on every headland witnessed a celebratory parade of sail around Falmouth Harbour yesterday. The event marked 50 years to the day since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set out from Falmouth UK in his rugged 32ft yacht Suhaili to become the first man to sail solo non-stop around the Globe.

The parade criss-crossed between Falmouth and St Mawes before Sir Robin set up a start line between Suhaili and Sir Francis Chichester’s equally famous yacht Gipsy Moth IV and fired the canon to set the 17-strong fleet of 2018 Golden Globe Race yachts on their way to Les Sables d’Olonne for the start of this 50th anniversary solo circumnavigation on Sunday July 1st.

The Suhaili Parade of Sail was the culmination of a three-day festival involving Suhaili, Gipsy Moth IV, the replica fleet of Golden Globe Race yachts and vessels from around the UK and Europe which had gathered in Falmouth to honour Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s achievement in the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race back in 1968/69.

The Mayor of Falmouth, Cllr Grenville Chappell said: “It’s amazing to think it was 50 years ago – it seems only yesterday – that Falmouth welcomed Sir Robin Knox-Johnston back into port after his incredible and historic sailing achievement, one that captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. His exploits then and subsequent, have inspired many across the UK and beyond to get out on the water, take up sailing or indeed undertake their own adventures. It certainly made an indelible mark on Falmouth’s community and we are thrilled to see Sir Robin and his legendary yacht Suhaili back in town.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “It is wonderful to be back in Falmouth and to receive such a warm welcome. Everyone has been very kind. This week’s celebrations have brought back so many memories.”

One of those memories is of a barometer, ‘borrowed’ off a pub wall before Sir Robin set out on his solo first which he used to monitor the changing weather conditions during his 312 day voyage. The original was later stolen from his yacht but Sir Robin returned with a replica of that faithful ‘A Lovely day for a Guinness’ branded barometer to present to the Chain Locker Pub where he stayed 50 years ago before his departure and on his return.

And to mark his return to this famous harbour-side hostelry, staff served Sir Robin with the same meal of steak and chips followed by lemon meringue pie he had ordered when he first returned to Falmouth on 22nd April 1969.

Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail June 14 2018. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston at the helm of his famous yacht SUHAILI after the start of the GGR SITRaN Challenge Race to Les Sables d’Olonne France where the 2018 Golden Globe Race will start from on Sunday July 1st

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston fires the start canon from SUHAILI to set the 2018 Golden Globe Race fleet of to Les Sables d’Olonne, France where the GGR commences on Sunday July 1st.

Uku Randmaa’s Estonian yacht ONE & ALL leads Susie Goodall’s DHL STARLIGHT at the start of the SITRaN Challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

Start of the GGR SITRaN Challenge race from Falmouth to Les Sables d’Olonne, France where the 2018 Golden Globe Race will commence on Sunday July 1st.
Mark Sinclair’s Australian entry COCONUT (88) gets a head start on Uku Randmaa’s Estonian yacht ONE & ALL

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston resampling his first meal of steak and chips served at the Chain Locker Pub Falmouth 50 years before, with the Guinness barometer mounted on the wall behind.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston greeted by the Mayor of Falmouth Cllr Grenville Chappell on arrival in Falmouth to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his departure from this port to become the first man to sail solo non-stop around the Globe

First of the 2018 Golden Globe Race yachts to cross the line at the start of the SITRaN Challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne was Tapio Lehtinen’s Finnish yacht Asterisk closely followed by 72-year old Jean-Luc Van Den Heede’s French entry Matmut and the two bright orange painted entrants Mark Sinclair’s Australian yacht Coconut and Istvan Koper’s USA/Hungarian entry Puffin.

Palestinian skipper Nabil Amra, who has still to complete his 1,000 mile solo proving trial, set out later in the day and must sail a further 300 miles solo distance once he arrives at the French port in order to qualify for the Race.

The first boats are expected to finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, France late on Saturday.