Sir Chay Blyth, CBE, BEM
(b.1940)
Sailing
Inducted in 2002
In 1971, Blyth became the first person to sail non-stop westwards around the world - therefore against prevailing winds and currents. Blyth was a Parachute Regiment Sergeant by the age of twenty-one and in 1966, while still a soldier, he and Captain John Ridgeway rowed across the North Atlantic in 92 days in a twenty-foot open rowing boat. He was awarded the British Empire Medal. Blyth set many further sailing records after leaving the army. He opened up the sport of sailing to those with no previous experience by launching events like the British Steel Challenge in 1989.
- Skippered 'Great Britain II' to 9 out of 12 trophies, Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, 1973-74
- Two-Handed Transatlantic Race winner with Rob James in 'Brittany Ferries', 1981 Co-skipper of the successful Blue Riband transatlantic attempt, Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, 1986
Image from Steve Lindridge - Ideal Images