Blyth to complete non-stop voyage

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32679, 7 August 1971, Page 1

Blyth to complete non-stop voyage

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) HAMBLE (Hampshire), August 6. The Scots adventurer, Chay Blyth, will arrive home today in his 59ft ketch British Steel to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world, from east to west.

The 31-year-old former 1 paratrooper left Hamble on i October 18 last year, heading , for Cape Horn on a 30,000mile journey against prevail- ■ ing winds and currents. When he steps ashore from . his boat he will have sailed ; single-handed round the 1 world faster than previous voyagers who first headed for r the Cape of Good Hope. I. Waiting to meet him will be three other • round-the- , world sailors, Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Alec Rose, anc the present record-hold- ’ er, Mr Robin Knox-Johnston, e Mr Blyth’s 292-day voyage beats by 21 days the record s set by Mr Knox-Johnston e during the “Sunday Times” race in 1969. A flotilla of small boats set * out last night to meet the ? yachtsman, who hove to in » the English Channel on Wed- ’ nesday to delay his arrival B until today. He said he did 1 not wish to interfere with J this week’s Cowes regatta, 5 ineluding the Admiral’s Cup 2 races. Mr Blyth said he also 3 wanted to give his sponsors. 4 the British Steel Corporation, 6 time to prepare for his ar6 rival. 7 Among the hundreds of 7 well-wishers and tourists who 8 are expected to welcome Mr I

Blyth home are the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and the Prime Minister (Mr Heath).