On 14 June 1968 Robin Knox-Johnston left Falmouth in his 32-foot boat Suhaili, one of the smallest boats to enter the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Knox-Johnston won the race and become officially the first person to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and single-handed on 22 April 1969, the day he returned to Falmouth.
It is fitting that 50 years after starting this race, Suhaili and Sir Robin are being honoured with a parade of sail this weekend (11 – 14 June).
The programme of events is as follows:
11th June:
Arrival of the 2018 Golden Globe Race fleet at Falmouth Haven Marina followed by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Suhaili escorted by a flotilla of yachts representing the Cruising Association
12 – 13th June:
Falmouth Haven (adjacent to Custom House Quay) open to the public to view the historic fleet each day from 11.00am – 20:00pm. There will also be a small marquee with historic images illustrating Sir Robin’s achievements 50 years ago.
12th June:
Arrival of Gipsy Moth IV.
2018 Golden Globe Race skipper safety at sea conference
19:00: St Mawes Sailing Club Golden Globe Race cocktail party for skippers, event organisers, friends and families. Suhaili, Gipsy Moth IV and Lively Lady will be moored just off the St Mawes harbour wall. This is a ticketed invite-only event.
13th June:
Midday – 2018 Golden Globe Race Press Conference and public presentation of skippers.
14:00pm – Book Launch and signing: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on Seamanship & Seafaring at The Falmouth Bookseller, Church Street.
16:00-17.00pm – Illustrated talk at The Poly with Barry Pickthall – former Sunday Times & Times yachting correspondent, Chris Eakin, author of the book ‘A Race Too Far’ and Bill Rowntree, the former Sunday Mirror photographer who was assigned to cover Robin Knox-Johnston’s start and historic return to Falmouth 50 years ago. They will be recalling the highs and lows of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s incredible voyage and triumphant return to Falmouth. A must-attend event! Tickets details available very soon.
18.00pm till late – Suhaili Evening at The Chain Locker Pub with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in attendance early and later into the evening
19:30pm – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston pre-Parade dinner at The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club. This is a ticketed event.
22:00pm – Firework display over Falmouth’s harbour and bay, illuminating many of the town’s award-winning attractions including the historic waterfront and Pendennis Castle.
14th June:
10:00am: Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail. Suhaili leads the historic yachts, the 2018 Golden Globe Race Fleet and a flotilla of supporting boats on a celebratory tour of Falmouth harbour, starting from Custom House Quay and taking in St Mawes and Pendennis Point and Castle.
13:30pm: Start of the SITRaN Charity Race from Pendennis Point to Les Sables d’Olonne, France, the first stage of the 50th anniversary Golden Globe Race which will commence from the French port on Sunday July 1st.