Golden Globe race

[landyhubbard]

I have just finsihed "A Voyage for Madmen" by Peter Nichols about the 1968 round the world race, in which Knox Johnson was the only one to finish. A great read. What an extraordinary event- the fact that people thought it would be OK to take a production 30' bilge-keeler into the Southern Ocean, the fact that Motissier just kept going, the terrible tradegy of Donald Crowhurst, the guts and seamanship of Knox Johnson, the sadness and bloody-mindedness of Nigel Tetley- I didn't know that he hanged himself after the race. It was less than 40 years ago, but a totally different world.

 

[Landale]

Snap - I finished it at about 00:30 this morning best read I've had in a long time.

Very much amused by RKJ's nonchalance (spelling) and at the other end Tetley's perserverence - I think I mean him - had the same class of boat as Crowhurst who reminded me of some advice I received on a sea survival course about people to what out for and handle carefully.

But yes a ripping account /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[FullCircle]

Totally gripped me, and SWMBO keeps avidly reading it with looks of bewilderment and awe alternatively.
All potty. No question.

 

[pheonix]

I read the book a couple of years ago excellent read. found myself not able to put it down. since then several of my freinds have read the book and been equally enthrawled. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[fortytwo]

I read the book a couple of years ago and also found it amazing.
What about the Italion guy who set off in one boat and returned. Then built another and set off again. Do I remember that correctly?

 

[ashanta]

I read "a world of my own" by RKJ but I was not aware there was a formal Round the world race. Only a race for the first sailor to achieve it. The guys set of of from different locations at different times depending on their own personal agenda.
Could someone clarify?

 

[jhr]

I think it started out as an informal thing and - like the first Sydney to Hobart - turned into a race as it went along. I was only a kid at the time, but iirc, Bill King announced that he was building a yacht (Galway Blazer) to do a non stop circumnavigation, then Nigel Tetley, Donald Crowhurst, RK-J et al joined in and (?) the Sunday Times put up some money, which formalised it a bit.

I was only about ten at the time, mind, so I may have this completely wrong. One thing I do remember is going to the launch party for Galway Blazer in Cowes - I can't remember whether it was at Clare Lallow or Souter's: mind you, I suspect none of the guests were quite sure where they were, given the speed at which drink was being taken......

 

[davehu]

Yes it was race. Competiors had to start with a defined area, around UK/France I think and could pick their starting times between certain dates when they thought the weather would best. First one home was the winner. Crowhurst had to go unfinished because he was on the latest deadline. Complete race sponsored by Sunday times. Knox Johnson won and gave his winnings to Crowhurst's widow so that she did not loose her house.

I really hope K-J finishes this race and writes a book, I think it would be a smash hit.

 

[Woodlouse]

It was never a race to start with. Most of the competetors were planning to go anyway and it was just coincidence that they all planned to leave in the same summer. The Sunday Times created the race so that they'd be guarenteed a scoop on the story no matter who won.