Sport Features

Thirty-seven years after making history by becoming the first person to sail non-stop single-handedly around the world, Devon yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has embarked on the journey again.

Sir Robin, who lives near Ipplepen in South Devon, is not only taking on the elements in the solo round-the-world Velux 5 Oceans Race, he is also pitting his wits against some of the biggest names in ocean racing.

Sir Robin waves to the crowds as he leaves Bilbao

Among them are Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm, who won the race the last time it was held in 2002-3 - when it was called the Around Alone.

Also taking part are fellow Britons, Mike Golding and Alex Thomson.

The race got under way in the Spanish port of Bilbao on Sunday 22nd October 2006 ...with stormy weather ahead.

Stamm took an early lead, with Golding second and Thomson third. Sir Robin was in sixth place on the first full day of the race.

Eight skippers are competing in the gruelling 30,000 mile race, and, at 67, Sir Robin is the veteran of the pack.

Mike Golding, Sir Robin, Alex Thomson (OnEdition)

As he was setting off at the start of the race, he admitted: "As usual, I could have had more sleep.

"The weather is not looking at all nice as there are gales at the start, but that's racing."

He explained why he decided to enter the race: "I was sort-of thinking about the race, thinking what fun it is.

"I've been involved in this race since it was started in 1982 and I suddenly thought it would be fun to just do it in one of these fast modern boats, just so I could say that I've done it in one.

"As I take my last breath on this planet, I don't want to be lying there thinking I wish I'd done something different.

"So I've just grabbed the opportunity and I'm going to take it and I'm going to run with it."

Sir Robin is sailing in his 60ft yacht, Saga Insurance, and he is hoping to knock 200 days off his sailing time back in 1969, when he completed the journey in 312 days in his 32ft wooden yacht, Suhali.

On that occasion, the journey was non-stop. For this race, competitors will have two stop-overs, at Freemantle in western Australia, and the east coast of America.

Photos: © OnEdition.