Chay Blyth Sir Charles Blyth , CBE , BEM ( born 14 May 1940 ) , known as Chay Blyth , is a Scottish yachtsman and rower . He was the first person to sail single - handed non - stop westwards around the world ( 1971 ) , on a 59 - foot boat called " British Steel " . Early life . Blyth was born in Hawick , Roxburghshire . He joined the British Army Parachute Regiment when he was 18 and rose quickly through the ranks to become a Sergeant at the age of 21 . Rowing and sailing career . In 1966 , whilst in the Army , Blyth , together with Captain John Ridgway , rowed across the North Atlantic in a 20 ft open dory called " English Rose III " . After successfully completing this in 92 days Blyth was awarded the British Empire Medal ( BEM ) . In 1968 , with no sailing experience , he competed in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race , aboard a 30 ft yacht called " Dytiscus " retiring just past the Cape of Good Hope . In 1971 Blyth became the first person to sail non - stop westwards around the world , aboard the yacht " British Steel " , taking 292 days , and as a result was made a Commander of the British Empire ( CBE ) . In 1973 , Blyth skippered a crew of paratroopers in the yacht " Great Britain II " , which took line honours in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race , and in 1978 won the Round Britain Race in the yacht " Great Britain IV " 1981 - Entered the Whitbread race again in the yacht “ United Friendly ” and was the first British yacht to finish . 1981 – On the yacht “ Brittany Ferries GB ” won the Two Handed Trans Atlantic Race with Co Skipper Rob James in record time . Came second again in the Round the Island Race ( IoW ) . 1982 – Came second overall and first in class in The Round Britain and Ireland Race on “ Brittany Ferries GB ” . 1984 – Capsized off Cape Horn aboard the trimaran “ Beefeater II ” whilst attempting the New York – San Francisco record attempt with Eric Blunn . Rescued by passing fishing boat after 19 hours in the water He was co - skipper with Richard Branson on " Virgin Atlantic Challenger I " and " Virgin Atlantic Challenger II " in 1985 and 1986 respectively , before founding the Challenge Business to organise the 1992 / 1993 British Steel Challenge in 1989 . This event allowed novices to sail around the world in a professionally organised race . The British Steel Challenge was followed by two successive BT Global Challenge races in 1996 / 7 and 2000 / 2001 . However , a downturn in the sponsorship market meant that the 2004 / 2005 Global Challenge race set off without a title sponsor . In 1997 , Blyth was created a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to sailing . Business career . Sir Chay started the company Challenge Business , to operate the Global Challenge Round the World yacht races . The Chartered Institute of Marketing awarded The Companion of Honour to Sir Chay in 2000 for his services to the Profession of Marketing . Sir Chay is chairman of Inspiring Performance . He also heads the Board of Directors at train company First Great Western - Greater Western franchise . He is Non Executive Chairman of the franchise which was formed to run the new and enlarged franchise from 1 April 2006 . The franchise combines the previous First Great Western , First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains franchises . As chairman of Challenge Business , he was the mentor for Dee Caffari on her successful bid to be the first woman to sail around the world against the prevailing winds and currents in 2005 / 6 . References . The Circumnavigators Chapter 31 by Don Holm Grant Thornton Press Release British Steel Yacht Homepage