VELUX 5 Oceans: Sir Robin finishes in Fremantle

On December 28 at 9pm local time Sir Robin finished leg one of the Velux 5 Oceans in third place behind Bernard Stamm (SUI) and Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN). He has sailed a total of 12,411 miles since leaving Spain, averaging a speed of 11 knots.

After spending Christmas at sea, Knox-Johnston was met by hundreds of supporters and well wishers on the dockside, as well as his shore team and many friends from the Western Australia region. The Ultimate Pioneer, who made history as the first person to ever circumnavigate the globe alone and non stop in 1969, received a rapturous hero's welcome to celebrate the wonderful and inspiring achievement for the 67-year-old.

Speaking as he disembarked Saga Insurance, the icon of world solo sailing commented, "The boat seems OK; the main issue is the mainsail as I have no power due to the broken battens. It will be fine once I have decent battens. There are jobs to do, but I am happy with Saga Insurance. This was a shakedown leg for me to learn about the boat. I've done that now, so everyone had better watch out on the next leg."

"The worst weather was without doubt the storm in the Bay of Biscay, other than that I really just had gales. I had no choice about jumping into the Southern Ocean to remove the fishing net from my keel. I didn't want to, it happened in a force seven. My Henri Lloyd seal suit ensured only my hands and feet really got cold, but I lost nearly a day and it was a huge strain on the keel. After what happened to Alex, I was worried for the state of my keel."

"It was much easier 38 years ago, no messing around with technology. They said I was missing for four and a half months and prepared my obituary, but I always knew where I was. These boats are formula 1 racing machines, like a thoroughbred horse. You need to remain alert and be on top of the boat the whole time in order to sail fast and safe. It was different on Suhaili, I remember we once hit 7 knots! With these Open 60 yachts you hit 28 knots; I am very impressed. They are remarkable boats, very exciting to sail, although you have to work hard to get on top of them."

"I had to helm the last four hours because the autopilot broke. My main concern as I finished was to look after the boat and getting the sail down safely. Mike's mast breaking was a tragedy and such a shame as he was doing so well. Mike and Alex are old friends and I will miss them as competitors, but the good news is that they are safe and sound."

Also dockside was the two retired British skippers, on hand to show their support and offer their congratulations to the knight of the high seas. It was a particularly special moment for Alex Thomson, the young skipper who was forced to abandon his yacht HUGO BOSS on leg one. For Thomson, Sir Robin has been a mentor in sailing and in life for many years, and he welcomed his close friend with a big hug. Commenting on the amazing achievement of Knox-Johnston, Alex stated, "Robin has done a fabulous job to finish in third place and I wouldn't bet against him winning. This race is open for anybody."

Mike Golding, who undertook the dramatic ocean rescue of Thomson, only to be immediately forced out of the race with a broken mast was also on hand to celebrate the historical moment, alongside local America's Cup legend John Longley. Longley concluded, "This is an achievement similar to Sir Edmund Hilary climbing up Everest thirty seven years after he first made history."

The fleet will set off from Fremantle on leg two at 15:00 (local time) on January 14, following a media sailing day on January 7. The boats will be on display at the race zone at Fremantle Sailing Club between January 6 - 14.

www.velux5oceans.com