14 June 2018

Golden Globe Race competitors are getting ready to take part in the Suhaili Falmouth 50 Parade of Sail to then head and making the final checks to their boats. The skippers will then make their way to Les Sables D’Olonne, where the Golden Globe Race will kick off on 1 July.

The parade takes place today (14 June) and celebrates the day Clipper Round The World Yacht Race Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set sail from the Cornish town on his 32 foot ketch Suhaili to participate and then win the Golden Globe Race 50 years before.

Arriving to Falmouth Haven Marina, welcomed by members of the media and skippers who are taking part in the tribute edition of the Golden Globe race, Sir Robin reported: “It feels good to be back. It’s a bit of a different place to how I remember it though of course. There was no marina then so I was out on a mooring.”

On the Golden Globe Race, he adds: “There are a great collection of boats for this race and an even greater group of sailors. Many people are asking if I’m tempted to go around with them again. The answer is no as I’ve been there and done the journey four times now. I’m sure once I’m on the start line I’ll feel slightly envious but it’s their turn this time now. I’m going to enjoy following it all instead.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will set sail on his famous ketch Suhaili today and will lead Bernard Moitessier’s French yacht Joshua, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady in a parade of sail around Falmouth harbour saluted by those competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race skippers and many other vessels on the day.

11 June 2018

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has arrived in Falmouth ahead of the Suhaili Falmouth 50 Parade of Sail.
The parade celebrates the day (14 June) Knox-Johnston set sail from the Cornish town on his 32 foot ketch Suhaili to participate and then win the Golden Globe Race 50 years before.
By winning the race, the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race founder became the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world.

The parade promises to be quite the event. Sailing aboard his famous yacht Suhaili, which was relaunched last year following three years of restoration, Sir Robin will lead Bernard Moitessier’s famous French yacht Joshua, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady in a parade of sail around Falmouth harbour saluted by those competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race skippers and many other vessels on the day.

Celebrations in Falmouth will take place all week, with the main event happening on Thursday, 14 June.

11 December 2017

A special Suhaili Falmouth 50 Parade of Sail will take place in eponymous town on Thursday 14 June 2018.

The date has been chosen as it coincides with the day Clipper Round The World Yacht Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set sail from Falmouth to win the original Golden Globe Race thus becoming the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world 50 years before.

The 2018 event, organised by the Falmouth Town Team and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club where Sir Robin stepped ashore on his return from the race in 1969, promises to be quite a spectacle.

Sailing aboard his famous yacht Suhaili, which was relaunched last year following three years of restoration, Sir Robin will lead Bernard Moitessier’s famous French yacht Joshua, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady in a parade of sail around Falmouth harbour saluted by those competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race skippers and many other vessels on the day.

Commenting on the Suhaili Falmouth 50 Parade of Sail, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “I am really looking forward to returning to Falmouth with Suhaili after so many years. I’m very supportive of the 2018 Golden Globe Race and will enjoy meeting these skippers and pacing Suhaili against at least one replica yacht and the other traditional designs in this modern day equivalent of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race”.

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The Cornish town will have plenty of events and activities to mark the 50th anniversary. Mayor of Falmouth Councillor Grenville Chappell said: “It is a privilege to welcome ‘home’ Sir Robin and his record-breaking yacht Suhaili. The people of Falmouth view his historic achievements with an enormous sense of pride as was evident 50 years ago when thousands lined the streets to cheer him back into port. What Sir Robin has done for the world of sailing is remarkable and much of it resonates with Falmouth’s strong maritime heritage. We very much look forward to hosting the parade of sail and watching the historic fleet sail in Falmouth Bay once again.”

The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club (RCYC) based in Falmouth will be co-ordinating the Parade of Sail and organising a pre-parade dinner for the participating sailors. The RCYC Commodore Bob Collings said: “Sir Robin started his epic voyage all those years ago from our Club and we look forward once again to welcoming him and all the other competitors. It was an historic achievement especially as he did not have all the modern technology that is available today.”

Following the parade of sail, the historic boats, along with around 30 other traditional long-keeled yachts and their skippers, will then participate in the SitRaN charity challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne, France, as a warm-up to a new 50th anniversary Golden Globe Race which will commence from there on Sunday 1st July 2018.