Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

The star of the high seas

Robin Knox-Johnston

Boating’s in our DNA

A true sailing legend, and also our co-founder’s brother, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is a force to be reckoned with. Always ready for adventure and never one to turn down a challenge, his seamanship has put Britain firmly on the boating map and opened up the sport to new generations of sailors.

In June 1968, he took part in the Sunday Times Golden Globe race, setting off from Falmouth in his 32-foot yacht, Suhaili. 312 days later he sailed back into Falmouth Harbour – and the history books. He won the race, becoming the first person ever to sail solo around the world without stopping, and was awarded a CBE in recognition of his incredible achievement. 

Success after success followed, earning Sir Robin a knighthood in 1995. Believing everyone should have the opportunity to experience the unique thrills of ocean racing, in 1996 he founded the Clipper Race. Widely considered one of the toughest races in the world, it’s also the only one where ordinary people with no previous sailing experience team up with a qualified skipper and first mate to drive a 70-foot sailing yacht across the high seas. To date, over 5,000 people have taken on the challenge. He’s also a patron of the charity CatZero, which aims to get underprivileged youth out on the water. The author of seven books, and active on Twitter, Sir Robin at 81 is as formidable as he was at 30.

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