A Look Astern and the Course Ahead: A Conversation with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston by Richard du Moulin n 24 October, the National Maritime Historical Society formally recognized Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for his accomplishments and contributions promoting the heritage of seafaring by bestowing upon him the NMHS Distinguished Service Award. Knox-Johnston achieved world fame in 1969 when he successfully completed the first-ever Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, a punishing solo nonstop round-the-world sailboat race. In that first competition of its kind, he was, in fact, the only finisher. He has since competed in countless sailing races-both solo and crewed, written a number of very popular books, and worked tirelessly to promote world-class marine events. Our own highly accomplished yachtsman and sailing racer, NMHS overseer Richard du Moulin, recently had the opportunity to talk with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to discuss the past, present, and future of ocean racing. What follows is the result of that conversation. -Burchenal Green, NMHS President
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or those of us who have been "blue water" ocean racers in past decades, the name at or near the top of any of our lists when it comes to "seafarers" is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Every month we read of ocean race records being broken by aggressive sailors in warp-speed multihulls or canting keel monohulls. Around-the world records for full crew and single-handers now stand in the fifty- to sixty-day range, with boats averaging in excess of twenty-five knots, day after day. Nevertheless, the granddaddy of all today's races was the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1969, a time before corporate sponsorship, satellite communications, and daily internet coverage. Sir Robin won that race with an average speed of 4.3 knots, finishing in 312 days. The endurance, seamanship, and isolation required for the competitors in that race still is unique. Since 1969, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has sailed both alone and fully crewed in modern catamarans and swing-keel Open 60 monohulls around the world several more times. The National Maritime Historical Society, and particularly avid member-sailors like me, are excited that Sir Robin KnoxJohnsron traveled to New York City to receive our Distinguished Service Award for utilizing his extraordinary accomplishments and influence to promote the heritage of seafaring. It was my personal pleasure to ask Sir Robin questions about his specialty-long distance racing. (above left) Robin Knox-Johnston at the conclusion ofthe 1968-69 Golden Globe Race aboard Suhaili. (He was knighted in 1995 by Queen Elizabeth II) (left) The course for the Golden Globe Race.
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SEA HISTORY 125, WINTER 2008-09