Top Dogs: Adventures in War, Sea and Ice - Cape Horn

The second part of a new series following three iconic adventurers - newsman John Simpson, polar explorer Ranulph Fiennes and solo yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston - as they attempt to sail around the most notorious of all maritime landmarks, Cape Horn, situated at the southernmost tip of South America. Waves in these remote waters can reach up to eighty feet high, and fierce gales blow up out of nowhere. The programme also offers a unique insight into the life of the professional solo yachtsman. Knox-Johnston was the first person ever to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world, winning the Golden Globe Race back in 1969. He now aims to give his fellow adventurers a taste of this experience, and wastes no time putting them to work hauling sails, working the ropes and tackling all of the varied aspects of shipboard life. In preparation for their Cape Horn voyage, Robin must intensively train his fellow 'Top Dogs', not only so they can become useful crew members, but also to give them a fighting chance of survival should disaster strike in the unforgiving Southern Ocean. Out here, they will be hundreds of miles from the nearest port, and even seasoned old sea dogs can become unstuck when the elements do their worst. As they head into the treacherous Southern Ocean, the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse, and the Dogs must battle to keep the yacht under control and reach their goal. Together, they must overcome mechanical failure and serious illness before finally approaching Cape Horn itself.