Ocean legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, 75, has departed Portsmouth, UK on his Open 60 Grey Power ahead of the start of French classic race the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe.
 
It will be the second time the British founder of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and first ever man to sail solo, non-stop around the world in 1968/69, has competed in the 3,500 mile Transatlantic contest.
 
The Clipper Race team waved off the legendary yachtsman from on board a Clipper 70.
 
After enjoying sailing with Clipper Race crew in the 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race which formed part of the circumnavigation, Knox-Johnston decided to return to competitive solo racing.
 
Knox-Johnston will be the oldest competing sailor at the St Malo start line on 2 November. He will be racing in the same boat he sailed round the world in during the 2006/7 Velux Five Oceans Race aged 68.
 
‘I am fit, I feel very strong and I am eager to get out there,” said Knox-Johnston.
 
‘Age has nothing to do with it. I am fitter than most. I have worked hard to get my boat ready and have been out sailing a lot for practice, including doing the Round the Island Race.
 
‘Racing solo on the ocean is where I feel most at home. The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe is a great race to a lovely island. I won’t win but I shall have a lot of fun participating.’