The mysterious case of the missing barometer

Only hours after being returned, the distinctive ‘Lovely Day for a Guinness’ barometer went missing again.

Within hours of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston presenting a replica barometer to Chain Locker manager Nathan Boundy, 50 years after he had ‘borrowed’ it for his solo non-stop circumnavigation, the weather indicator was missing again.

The culprit this time was Don McIntyre, the Golden Globe Race Founder, who then smuggled it on to Tomy’s Suhaili replica yacht Thuriya before she sailed for France.

McIntyre admits: “The temptation was just too great: Abhilash is the only Indian to sail around the world non-stop solo like Sir Robin and we couldn’t let the fabulous story of the barometer just stop there. So now it’s on its way around the world again on a replica of Suhaili and history is repeating itself!”

James Staughton, CEO of St Austell Brewery, owners of the Chain Locker pub and a keen yachtsman adds: “When we first heard about the disappearance of the replica, we and the team at the Chain Locker were all naturally concerned, but who doesn’t love a good story and this really is one of the best.

“We wish Abhilash the very best of luck on his voyage and look forward to welcoming him back, hopefully with the barometer, for a pint of Tribute beer at the Chain Locker on his return.”

Sir Robin on Suhaili was one of nine sailors who set out on the gruelling Sunday Times Golden Globe Race on June 14, 1968 – and the only one to stay the course. He returned to port on board Suhaili in April 1969.

The barometer was stolen from Sir Robin some time after his 312-day voyage, so he was unable to return it to the pub.

The Golden Globe Race will start from Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday 1 July, with 17 boats due to compete, including the Suhaili replica yacht Thuriya of Abhilash Tomy – with the missing barometer.

Story from Sail-Web.