Wrong Way Chay

On this day August 6 in 1971 Chay Blyth became the first person to sail around the world non-stop the "wrong way" east-to-west.

Among his many other achievements he was the founder of the British Steel Challenge (later BT Global Challenge) a "no experience needed, pay for your berth and I’ll train you to race round the world" race for amateurs. When the posh chappies in flannels and blazers from the Royal Ocean Racing Club met Chay to discuss his plans and asked what experience he thought amateurs needed to face the Southern Ocean and Cape Horn, his reply was classic...

"It's only wind and water."

Indeed.

Congratulations and best wishes to Sir Chay Blyth on this special day.