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He has previously sailed around the world, as part of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's crew in 2007, but doing it solo will be a challenge on an entirely new level.

Mr Holt also saw off sailing heroes Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Dee Caffari, both known for historic voyages around the globe non-stop and single-handed.

In 1969, Knox-Johnston became the first person to make a nonstop single-handed circumnavigation of the globe when he was the only competitor in a round-the-world yacht race to make it home.

Ten weeks into the voyage, Knox-Johnston’s radio broke down.

“I reckon I can celebrate the 50th anniversary but can’t guarantee I’ll be around for 100th,” Knox-Johnston, 80, said in a phone interview.