On 27 August 1966 Francis Chichester sailed Gipsy Moth IV out of Plymouth travelling west to east on the clipper route, a traditional journey for fast sailing ships. He returned as the fastest circumnavigator, having travelled via the Great Capes of Africa's Cape of Good Hope, Australia's Cape Leeuwin and South America's Cape Horn. Plymouth Hoe was packed to witness Chichester's return on 28 May 1967 after nine months and one day and the event was broadcast live.