"Anyone who goes to sea and says that don't feel fear is a liar.  Of course you're frightened." --- Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
In 1968 nine men attempted to do something no human had yet to accomplish.  To be the first person to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the world.  The British Sunday Times sponsored The Golden Globe Race, with The Golden Globe trophy and £5,000 awarded to the first person to complete an unassisted, non-stop single-handed circumnavigation of the world via the great capes, and a separate £5,000 prize awarded for the fastest single-handed circumnavigation.

 
During the course of the documentary Deep Water, archival footage is used to tell the story of the race and the competitors.  The film's main focus is on Donald Crowhurst, an inexperienced weekend sailor/engineer, who has neither the skills or equipment necesssary for the voyage, and begins to report false positions.  Facing financial ruin at home, and fears that his lies would be discovered once his logs were examined, Crowhurst eventually commits suicide at sea. 

Equally fascinating is the story of Bernard Moitessier.  The race's sole French competitor.  After seven months at sea and completing a full global circumnavigation, Moitessier abandoned the race and a chance at recording the fastest time, only to continue sailing for another three months alone and another two-thirds of a circumnavigation. 

Out of the nine men who set off in 1968, only one, Knox-Johnston, finished.  313 days after he began sailing Robin Knox-Johnston, who began determined to see a British man win, became the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world.  He donated his prize money to the Crowhurst family.

Watch Deep Water.