Gifts to mark special sailing feat - 23/04/09

The first person to sail non-stop around the world single-handed has celebrated the 40th anniversary of his achievement with a curry.

Perhaps a more appropriate memorial after spending so much time at sea would be to plant a tree on dry land, but Sir Robin Knox-Johnston instead enjoyed a meal with fellow British round-the-world sailors at St Katherine's Dock in central London.

It is not yet known what unusual gifts were presented to the 70-year-old to mark the special occasion, but joining him in the celebration were a number of famous guests, including record-breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari and Steve White.

Sir Robin is the last Briton to win a solo, non-stop race, finishing the Sunday Times Golden Globe race on April 22, 1969 to worldwide acclaim.

He was the only one of nine men to finish the Golden Globe, finally crossing the Falmouth finish line after 312 days at sea in his 32ft wooden boat Suhaili.

"I am delighted to mark the anniversary of my victory in the Golden Globe," Sir Robin said. "I am proud to have achieved this historic feat.

"Forty years ago nobody knew whether sailing alone around the world was even possible - but it was a time of change and adventure as man landed on the Moon and we extended the frontiers of possibility."

Gifts to mark special sailing feat - 23/04/09

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