NOTABLE SOLO NON-STOP CIRCUMNAVIGATORS\

There are many to choose from but here are just some of the solo skippers who have inspired others to offshore adventure

Sir Robin Knox-johnston

The first solo sailor to sail non-stop around the world, Sir Robin Knox-johnston sailed from Falmouth on 14 June 1968 aboard his Bermuda ketch, Suhaili, returning on 22 April 1969 (pictured) as the only winner of the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.

Fellow competitor, Bernard Moitessier, ended up sailing one-and-a-half times around the world before making landfall in Tahiti, 10 months after leaving Plymouth in his ketch, Joshua.

Sir Chay Blyth

A former 1968-69 Golden Globe Race entrant, Sir Chay Blyth, became the first person to sail non-stop around the world east to west in the high southern latitudes, aboard his 59ft ketch, British Steel. He left from Southampton on 18 October 1970, returning 292 days later.

Dee Caffari

In May 2006, Dee Caffari followed in Sir Chay’s footsteps, becoming the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. It took her 178 days in her 73ft yacht Aviva. Caffari went on to become the only woman to have circumnavigated the globe, non-stop, three times after finishing the 08/09 Vendée Globe and the Barcelona World Race in 2011.

Kay Cottee

In June 1988, Australian skipper, Kay Cottee, became the first woman to sail solo, unassisted and non-stop around the world via the Five Capes of the Southern Ocean in her 37ft yacht Blackmores First Lady

Tony Curphey

In April, Tony Curphey (pictured), 74, completed The Longue Route in his Nicholson 32, Nicola Deux, sailing solo and non-stop around the world in 308 days.

Minoru Saitō

The Japanese offshore sailor claimed the oldest person to sail around the world non-stop and unassisted title in 2005, following his seventh circumnavigation at the age of 71 in his 56ft 1989 steel-hulled cutter-rigged sloop, Shuten-dohji II

Jon Sanders

Currently preparing for his 11th solo circumnavigation around the globe, Australian skipper, Jon Sanders, 80, has completed a double non-stop solo west-to-east circumnavigation via the Southern Ocean in 1981-82 and a triple non-stop solo circumnavigation in 1986-88