An interview with Robin Knox-Johnston on Yachtpals

 Although I grew up in England in the 60s and 70s I was pretty unfamiliar with Robin Knox-Johnston's accomplishments until the last decade. Of course I knew the name. He is part of the fabric of Great British Feats so you would have to live under a rock in Britain not to have heard of him. I didn't really absorb his accomplishments till I read Voyage for Madmen, Peter Nichols, excellent account of the Sunday Golden Globe Race, which of course RKJ won and was the only finisher, becoming the first person to sail single-handed round the world non-stop. The book actually focuses more on Donald Crowhurst, the tragic participant who cheated then took his own life rather than face the shame and personal ruin. Robin Knox-Johnston comes across as a down-to-earth, pragmatic bloke who gets round by sheer perseverance. Yachtpals interviewed RKJ last June to commemorate the start of the Golden Globe Race. It's an excellent interview that really captures the essence of the man. He discusses everything from safety at sea to his dream destinations. I find it quite heartening that a man who sailed 500,000 miles still has as many places he wants to explore as I do. Maybe more. Check it out, it's worth a read and suffice to say... SHOW YOUR SUPPORT IN MAKING APRIL 22ND ROBIN KNOX-JOHNTON DAY ON THE WEB. Here's how.