A moment in sailing history was seen in Falmouth this week - the reunion of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston with his famous boat Suhaili.
The first yacht to complete a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation in 1968-69 left Falmouth with her renowned, highly acclaimed, endeavouring adventurer, builder and owner, for Brixham for the Around Alone reunion.
Sir Robin, a trustee of National Maritime Museum Cornwall, now being built in Falmouth, was sailing Suhaili for the first time since her renovation by the apprentices of Pendennis Shipyard and the Falmouth Marine School.
Terry Vernon, fellow Museum trustee, was also on board along with some of the Pendennis Shipyard apprentices.
It was 34 years ago that Suhaili and Sir Robin sailed from Falmouth to conquer the Sunday Times Golden Globe Trophy. With a lack of sophisticated navigation equipment she never was the favourite to win but after 312 days at sea, during which Suhaili's radio broke after 10 weeks, the fresh water was polluted and she was badly damaged in numerous storms, Sir Robin and Suhaili sailed back to Falmouth on April 22, 1969, both proudly deserving the winning title as the first team to sail around the world non-stop single-handed.
Suhaili will be a visiting floating exhibit as part of National Maritime Museum Cornwall's collection of historic vessels.
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