Record #00510Human Society archive
On 22 April 1969, Robin Knox-Johnston returned to Falmouth aboard Suhaili, completing the first documented solo nonstop circumnavigation under sail after 312 days at sea since 14 June 1968.
Achievement date
1969
1969-04-22
The 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race invited sailors to attempt the then-uncompleted feat of a single-handed, nonstop sailing circumnavigation, departing within a designated window.
Knox-Johnston navigated his wooden ketch Suhaili through bad weather and equipment failures, including prolonged radio loss, ultimately becoming the contest's sole finisher.
The record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
The sailor's official account and Royal Institute of Navigation support the departure on 14 June 1968, completion on 22 April 1969, and 312 days at sea. The first-achievement Entry uses completion date, not voyage duration as the record value.
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
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