The First and The Fastest

Nigel Sharp

The History Press

£20

A book offering to compare the historic circumnavigations of Sir Robin Knox Johnson and Dame Ellen McArthur must surely be a winner? The problem for Nigel Sharp is that he is only rarely comparing like with like. Suhaili’s 1968-9 circumnavigation will always be the first: B&Q’s (2004-5) was only the fastest for a few years. Yet it remains iconic not for beating the clock but for overcoming fundamental limitations of McArthur’s physique – and gender. It’s less important to note how many times an hour she gybed ‘Mobi’ than that she was able to do it at all. Her achievements have helped open up the oceans to the other half of humanity. I’d like to have read more about that.