The first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe was ...
Sir William Robert Patrick "Robin" Knox-Johnston is an English sailor. In 1969 he became the first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe and was the second winner of the Jules Verne Trophy, together with Sir Peter Blake. For this, they were awarded with the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award. In 2007 he became, at 67, the oldest yachtsman to complete a round the world solo voyage in the Velux 5 Oceans Race.