oldmansailing

Retired Foreign Correspondent John Passmore is the author of the oldmansailing blog and books. He writes about sailing long distances alone. By joining the oldmansailing community, you share in the adventure with a blog, podcasts, videos, webinars and other resources for sailors old and new.

This year, 2026, is the 60th anniversary of his hero, the great solo sailor, Francis Chichester, setting out on his round-the-world voyage, racing against the time of the clipper ship, the Cutty Sark. It would be the first solo circumnavigation with only one stop. He returned to global acclaim and a knighthood.

Then, within a year, his achievement was overshadowed by Robin Knox-Johnston, who went round without stopping at all.

Passmore believes that, in many ways, Chichester’s was the more amazing voyage, so he is going to recreate it, leaving on the same day from Plymouth.

He will sail with Chichester’s book in one hand, sending back daily reports, podcasts and video, comparing his own modern voyage.