How fast can one person sail around the world?

50 years after the Golden Globe race that marked the start of solo non-stop circumnavigations, a new group of sailors will set off in boats no longer than 11.3m (37ft) using the same equipment that was available to the pioneers back in 1968. The original race was won by Sir Robin Knox Johnston and together with the World Sailing Show, we look at solo circumnavigations, plot the massive reduction in record times and take a look at the second edition of the Golden Globe Race.

[@carlsails58]

Forty knots plus-sailing! Who could have imagined.

[@kevinfisher1345]

What does he mean they knew it was possible, Knox knew that as well as he was not the first solo circumnavigator. Was the first to race it, but already knew it was possible.

[@xlenau]

non-stop solo circumnavigator

[@carlsails58]

First nonstop solo.

[@guidouytterhaegen]

Wow👌

[@00BillyTorontoBill]

Have any boats used a kite ? That might be the next big trick. As I see it the advantage is being exposed to upper winds at XX knts, yet lowers are calmer with calmer water. So foiling might be more effective in those areas/conditions. Man I need to look at the routes they all took compared to the rig.

[@carlsails58]

All were W to E I believe. Kites in Southern Ocean may be too much.

[@vincentmiceli2554]

Sure. From the ill-equipped boats used in the first Global Globe race to now where $200 gazillon trimarans with space age equipment. Hardly seems like apples to apples does it?

[@AL-se3iz]

That’s not literally around the world.