The First and the Fastest

Comparing Robin Knox-Johnston and Ellen MacArthur's Historic Round-the-World Voyages

Nonfiction, Sports, Water Sports, Sailing, Reference & Language, Transportation, Ships & Shipbuilding
Cover of the book The First and the Fastest by Nigel Sharp, The History Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nigel Sharp ISBN: 9780750988742
Publisher: The History Press Publication: June 1, 2018
Imprint: The History Press Language: English
Author: Nigel Sharp
ISBN: 9780750988742
Publisher: The History Press
Publication: June 1, 2018
Imprint: The History Press
Language: English

This is the story of two single-handed non-stop round-the-world voyages: Robin Knox-Johnston’s in 1968/69 and Ellen MacArthur’s in 2004/05. Although there were similarities – both voyages started and finished in Falmouth, for instance, and neither sailor was in a conventional race – the story is mainly one of contrasts, mostly as a consequence of thirty-six years of technological developments. These gave MacArthur the opportunity for a considerably faster voyage, but that didn’t necessarily make things any easier for her. When Knox-Johnston set sail in Suhaili, no one knew if it was possible for a human being or a boat to survive such a voyage; and when MacArthur commissioned her boat B&Q, many considered that a high-performance trimaran of that size could not be safely sailed around the world by one person.Whatever comparisons are made, the question as to which was the greater achievement is futile: both voyages were utterly remarkable.MacArthur is no longer 'the fastest', of course – her time has since been beaten by three Frenchmen – but she is still the fastest British solo circumnavigator, while Knox-Johnston’s record as 'the first' will be there for all time.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This is the story of two single-handed non-stop round-the-world voyages: Robin Knox-Johnston’s in 1968/69 and Ellen MacArthur’s in 2004/05. Although there were similarities – both voyages started and finished in Falmouth, for instance, and neither sailor was in a conventional race – the story is mainly one of contrasts, mostly as a consequence of thirty-six years of technological developments. These gave MacArthur the opportunity for a considerably faster voyage, but that didn’t necessarily make things any easier for her. When Knox-Johnston set sail in Suhaili, no one knew if it was possible for a human being or a boat to survive such a voyage; and when MacArthur commissioned her boat B&Q, many considered that a high-performance trimaran of that size could not be safely sailed around the world by one person.Whatever comparisons are made, the question as to which was the greater achievement is futile: both voyages were utterly remarkable.MacArthur is no longer 'the fastest', of course – her time has since been beaten by three Frenchmen – but she is still the fastest British solo circumnavigator, while Knox-Johnston’s record as 'the first' will be there for all time.

More books from The History Press

Cover of the book English History by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book York Book of Days by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Transforming the Skies by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Anglesey at War by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Bignor Roman Villa by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Peterborough Book of Days by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book RMS Lusitania by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Jersey Ghost Stories by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Flying for Freedom by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book No Labour, No Battle by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Peterloo by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Hawthorne's Lenox by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Darke Chronicles by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book From Amourette to Zal by Nigel Sharp
Cover of the book Sheffield United Miscellany by Nigel Sharp
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy