Young sailor arrives in Largs during record round-UK sailing bid

A TEENAGE sailor arrived in Largs this week as he bids to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the 1,390-nautical mile journey around the British Isles Timothy Long set off from Hamble Point Marina in Southampton on July 16 at the start of the daring voyage which is expected to take about two months. And one of the highlights of his mission arrived on Monday as the schoolboy arrived at Largs Yacht Haven. The local marina is the base for sail charity the Dame Ellen MacArthur Trust, the focus of Timothy's amazing fundraising endeavour around the UK. The Trust provides sailing opportunities for young people recovering from cancer. The schoolboy, who is a member of Hythe Sailing Club, is circumnavigating the country in a 28ft-yacht and is aiming to beat the record set in 2011 when 17-year-old Tom Webb successfully completed a similar voyage. The 15-year-old had his first taste of sailing at the age of nine, when he had to contend with thunder and lightning as he was tipped him into the freezing waters of a reservoir from a dinghy. Undeterred, his passion for sailing grew and in 2017 he acquired a vessel of his own to become the youngest skipper in the Round Island Race, navigating the busiest shipping lane in the world - the Dover Straits - as well as facing up to the huge tidal ranges in the Severn Estuary all on his own. There was a special welcome at Largs Yacht Haven on Monday afternoon as family, friends and representatives of Trust through a party to welcome him from Tarbert. Proud mum Sue said "Dame Ellen MacArthur inspired him to become a professional sailor, "It is brilliant to come to Largs with its connection to her and the weather couldn't have been better for his arrival with the sun splitting the sky." The teen said: "I am really pleased to be stopping in Largs. Dame Ellen has always been my inspiration and I wanted to do something which combined my passion for sailing and helped her charity at the same time. It is a great cause." A signed copy of Dame Ellen's book and a commemorative baseball cap were waiting for Timothy to spur him on. Timothy had been plotting his epic challenge since last year, but like many his plans got scuppered when the UK was forced into lockdown the day before his boat was supposed to be launched. Ellen shared some words of encouragement for the ambitious young sailor. She told the News: "To sail around Britain is a wonderful challenge. I was only a few years older than Tim when I did the same and I was awestruck by the incredible beauty of the British Isles. "There's something magical about looking back on your home country from the sea. I wish him fair winds on his journey and want to say thank you for supporting the Trust in this challenge. "The money Tim raises will make a huge difference in young people being able to rebuild their lives after cancer."