Sir Robin congratulates fellow adventurer Buzz Aldrin on 45th anniversary of historic moon landing

45 years ago, two men using very different modes of transport were bonded in friendship following each of them achieving unique moments of human exploration.

On 22 April 1969, Clipper Race founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first man to circumnavigate the world, solo, non-stop - a voyage which took 312 days on Suhaili - the 32ft ketch he built himself in India. Just over three months later on 21 July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first men to set foot on the moon during the Apollo 11 US space mission.

Sir Robin and Buzz Aldrin quickly bonded over their achievements as media linked their experiences of remote exploration. The pair have remained friends over the years.

Congratulating Buzz on the 45^th anniversary of his moon landing this week, Sir Robin contributed a video message to his #Apollo45 tribute campaign. He commented: “Hi Buzz, I remember your moon landing very well because I was in a studio in London with Winston Churchill (Jr), talking to the American’s about it.

“What I did was purely for my own amusement. What you did was really special for mankind. It was a wonderful achievement Buzz. May you go on for many years celebrating that great achievement.”

To watch Sir Robin’s video message, CLICK HERE.