Sailing Around the World Non-Stop on a 21 Foot Boat

2009/11/03

Those of us who are old enough might remember the day Sir Robin Knox Johnston became the first person to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded, without assistance and without any stopovers. Everybody cheered the man and his accomplishment, but what we tend to forget is that most of the world thought that the nine skippers who took part in the Global Challenge were crazy. Well, we must admit that there could be some truth in that. Since that particular day in 1969, however, quite a few skippers have attempted and even succeeded in achieving this difficult venture - this mostly thanks to the evolution of technology, security and design. Today, to sail around the World singlehanded has nearly become a “common” feat. The best example of this is, of course, the Vendée Globe, where every four years, 30 skippers line up for what is called the Everest of all yacht races. Today, there is no comparison between Suhaili, the 32 foot Bermudan ketch of Sir Robin, and the new Open 60's used in the non-stop around the world race, but Sir Robin’s achievement keeps inspiring people. Like Alessandro Di Benedetto, for example. This 38 year old Franco-Italian has just sailed out from Les Sables d’Olonne this week to circumnavigate the world non-stop, following the Vendée Globe route. Nothing special you’d say? Wrong!!! He's doing it on a 21 foot Mini!!...