The 40th anniversary of the Sunday Times Golden Globe was celebrated today in London at St Katherine’s Dock. In attendance were other Great British solo circumnavigators
Dee Cafari and Steve White. Here is what RKJ had to say:
‘I am delighted to mark the anniversary of
my victory in the Golden Globe. Forty years ago nobody knew whether
sailing alone around the world was even possible – but it was a time of
change and adventure, as man landed on the moon and we extended the
frontiers of possibility. Of the nine starters in that inaugural race,
I was the only one to cross the finish line. Completing the race
onboard Suhaili was an important moment in pushing the boundaries of
our sport.’
‘So much has changed since then, in terms of the
size and speed of the boats, as well as the technology. However, the
harsh realities and dangers of the challenge of sailing non-stop solo
around the world remain the same.’
‘I am proud to have
achieved this historic first. I am also pleased to be joined by so many
of the British sailors who have followed in my footsteps. Although I am
the last British skipper to win such a race around the world, there is
such a huge pool of British offshore sailing talent. Having broken new
ground in 1969, I am pleased not only to support the future
professional sailing today via the Velux 5 Oceans race, but equally to
encourage people from all walks of life to fulfill their dreams of
racing across oceans by taking part in the Clipper Race.’