World famous yacht 2017 visit to Stornoway

In 2017 it will be fifty years since maritime history was made when one small vessel the ‘Gipsy Moth IV’ and Sir Francis Chichester circumnavigated the world. In May that amazing achievement will be commemorated when the ‘Gipsy Moth IV’ sets sail once more to travel around the U.K and she will be stopping off at Stornoway Harbour. A spokesman for the charity ‘The Gipsy Moth Trust’, who have organised this latest challenge, said: “To mark the 50th anniversary next year, Gipsy Moth IV begins another great voyage – a clockwise 1,500-mile circumnavigation of Great Britain – starting on May 29th. “There will be 11 legs on the voyage round Britain, with stopovers at 12 towns and cities: Milford Haven, Liverpool, the Isle of Man, Oban, Stornoway, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Hull, London, Portsmouth, Cowes and Dartmouth. “Gipsy Moth IV will be on the start line at Plymouth with her own starting gun due to be fired by a member of the royal family. After a fly-past by the Red Arrows, Gipsy Moth will sail southwest, around Land’s End and up the Irish Sea to Milford Haven. “Yachtsman and adventurers can book a berth on the voyage for as little as £150 (the shortest, penultimate leg, Dartmouth to Plymouth) or between £300 and £500. “The longest leg, from Oban to Aberdeen, with a stopover in Stornoway, is £790 per person. With a fully qualified skipper and mate aboard, stages of the voyage can count towards RYA qualifications.” In 1966/67 Sir Francis Chichester Circled the World single handed on Gipsy Moth IV – one of the most amazing challenges of the 20th Century. She sailed into Plymouth Harbour at the culmination of a remarkable 28,500 mile journey. During that journey which had taken 226 days, Sir Francis had consumed 100 tins of fish, 16 dozen fresh eggs, half a dozen bottles of gin. The challenge saw him breaking multiple records, including: setting the fastest voyage around the world by any small sailing vessel; The longest non-stop passage that had been made by a small sailing vessel (15,000 miles); The longest passage by a single-hander (more than doubling the previous record); Twice breaking the record for a single-handers week’s run by more than 100 miles, The record for single handed speed by sailing 1,400 miles in eight days. At the end of the journey more than a quarter of a million well-wishers – with millions more watching on television – greeted Sir Francis and Gipsy Moth IV – named for the de Havilland Gipsy Moth aircraft Sir Francis had previously flown single-handed across the Atlantic – on their arrival in Plymouth. Following her momentous journey Gipsy Moth IV took up a purpose built dry dock in Greenwich during a retirement that lasted more than 40 years and which took an enormous toll on the yacht. Undisturbed, but gently rotting, Gipsy Moth IV fell into a severe state of disrepair until a campaign was launched in 2005 by Yachting Monthly in partnership with the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA), which restored the historic yacht and sent her off on another round-the-world trip in time for the 40th anniversary of Chichester’s travels. Her restoration ensured meant that a new generation was able to see her in her full glory. This was an important step towards what she is now dedicated to – namely the inspiration of the public and young sailors. The Gipsy Moth Trust was established with the remit of making the historic yacht available for the public to not only see, but also sail. The yacht spends much of her year on the Isle of Wight, but has an annual summer programme that includes some of the UK’s biggest regattas. Now her working life to inspire will continue in this latest voyage around the UK and islanders will have a chance to see this famous vessel for themselves when she calls into Stornoway harbour for a visit.

Sailing charity for disabled hopes to push the boat out

A local charity is providing an inspirational service for disabled people of all ages by giving them the chance to cast off their land-based challenges and set sail for a bright future. Wealden Sailability operates in the beautiful surroundings of Chipstead Lake, near Sevenoaks. It was founded eight years ago by Brian Stanley, 76. He says: “The charity opens up enormous opportunities to simply enjoy yourself – or to compete against each other. And our age range spans from seven or eight to well into your eighties.” Last year the charity was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – known as the MBE for voluntary organisations. And now it is looking to add an extra-special type of boat to its fleet so that even the most disabled enthusiast will be able to enjoy the freedom that the open water offers. “When we started, we had no money and no boats, just a few enthusiastic guys,” says Mr Stanley, who lives in Brenchley. “But now we’ve got 80 or 90 volunteers and a fleet of 23 boats. “We can cater for any disability. We have up to 35 visitors from all over west Kent and we take them out every Tuesday and Thursday” Mr Stanley, who has been sailing for over 50 years, took up the challenge of passing on his knowledge and skills when he retired from the advertising industry. “The charity started at Bough Beech reservoir when I was the commodore up there,” he said. “We were approached by the Royal Yachting Association [RYA] and Kent County Council to set up a unit. “It’s been a fantastic experience for me,” he added. “Not only is it rewarding for us but we can pass this knowledge on to others and it’s great to see them really enjoying it too.” Sailability is a nationwide organisation with more than 200 sites around the country, set up by the RHA to encourage participation and also competition. Sailing is a very rare pastime in that it allows disabled people of any age to be on a level playing field with able-bodied sailors. “The beauty is that if you are totally disabled on land, you can still compete against anybody on water,” said Mr Stanley. “Somebody once said to me: ‘On land I can move at 1mph but on water I can move as fast as anyone else.’” There are several different types of boats in the ‘fleet’. The Drascombe Lugger is a large dinghy which can be used to conduct tours around the lake. They also have two Olympic class International 2.4mRs, which they acquired from the RHA after the Paralympics at London 2012. Then there are 10 Access 303Ws and three Access Liberty boats, which are also designed specifically to meet the needs of disabled sailors and provide the ideal model for early instruction. With heavily weighted keels and added buoyancy, they are very stable. Movement is not necessary inside the boat and the only controls are a joystick for steering and a rope to control the sails. “One of the Access Liberty boats is equipped with a simple control box which is tiny and can be attached to the clothing of the disabled sailor in the most convenient position,” said Mr Stanley. “It consists of small toggle-type switches which control both the rudder and the sails. This has proved to be extremely popular for people with very limited dexterity such as severe cerebral palsy, and allows them the fun and exhilaration of sailing alone. It also enables them to race on equal terms.” Now the charity wants to add a new boat to the fleet, with sip-and-puff assistive technology which sends signals to the controls using air pressure by ‘sipping’ (inhaling) or ‘puffing’ (exhaling) on a straw or tube. “This will provide the opportunity for the very disabled to be able to sail independently. The sip-and-puff system has proved to be very successful, even on long-distance trips. “We want to take this a step further for people with even more disability, who are constantly dependent on others for everything.”

Sailing Tioga from Scotland to Ireland 2016

Cirdan Sailing Trust in bid to raise £32k in just 72 hours to help disadvantaged children take to the seas

A SAILING trust has launched a bid to raise £30,000 in just 72 hours to help disadvantaged children take to the seas. The Cirdan Sailing Trust, based in Bradwell-on-Sea, is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise cash for the Voyage of Discovery Fund 2017. The fund will enable disadvantaged young people to develop skills as they take to the water on a large sailing boat. Among the young people supported by the scheme are those from deprived backgrounds, at risk of exclusion or failing at school, with special needs or behaviour issues. The trust, set up in 1983, operates three large sailing vessels to take young people on the life-changing experience. So far it has helped 32,000 children across the UK and believes sailing provides young people with important life skills as they work in a team, have to communicate and learn to be resilient. The Dulverton Trust, which helps support groups looking for grants, has agreed to match any funds raised, meaning £60,000 is up for grabs. Leonie Back, general manager at The Cirdan Sailing Trust, said: “This year we’re looking to boost the funds needed for our Voyage of Discovery Fund through the Big Give Christmas Challenge. “If we can raise £30,000 through online donations in the 72 hours of the challenge, the Dulverton Trust have offered to match fund it to £60,000. “This would be a fantastic start to our fundraising year enabling us to guarantee a life-changing opportunity for disadvantaged young people.” People can donate at theBigGive.org.uk from noon on Tuesday. The campaign ends at noon on Friday. Visit cirdantrust.org for details.

Sir Ben Ainslie's team win America's Cup World Series with Fukuoka tie-break victory

Sir Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR team won the America's Cup World Series with a narrow Fukuoka regatta victory. The team, bidding to become the first British crew to win the America's Cup, earn two points for the next phase, the qualifying series in May and June. The winners of that will face Oracle Team USA in the main event, the 2017 America's Cup later in June. Ainslie's team won after a tie-break in the regatta in Japan by virtue of a better result in the last race. Land Rover BAR finished the series with 512 points, 19 ahead of Oracle Team USA, the two-time defending America's Cup champions, in second place. Emirates Team New Zealand, who lost an 8-1 lead to Oracle in the 2013 America's Cup, finished third overall with 493 points. Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, is attempting to end Britain's long wait to bring the America's Cup back to the UK, where the oldest trophy in international sport was first contested in 1851. "We are under no illusions over just how tough it is. We hope to have the fastest boat next year." Land Rover BAR held a one-point advantage after the first day of the Fukuoka regatta but Artemis Racing of Sweden won the first two races on Sunday. Ainslie's crew needed to finish ahead of the Swedes in the last race of the day to clinch the title and came in third, with Artemis one place further back.

Classics date for yacht club

The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club has again been chosen to host the Falmouth Classics 2017 regatta. Since the Falmouth Classics’ rebirth in 2013 and the decision to run the event during the International Sea Shanty Festival, the Classics regatta has grown in stature attracting many historic Classic vessels to the port from along the south coast of England, France and the Netherlands. Falmouth Classics chairman, John Davison, and vice chairman, Don Garman, have put together a team of volunteers from the Royal Cornwall and other Falmouth PoFSA (Port of Falmouth Sailing Association) clubs to deliver a “Classic boat spectacular that the port can be proud of”. The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club commodore, Bob Collings, said: “We are delighted to have once again been chosen as the organising authority for Falmouth Classics 2017. “The Club is proud of the contribution it makes to the sailing in Falmouth and prides itself for delivering a professionally organised and safe sailing regatta.”

Paving the Pathway

Redesmere Sailing Club Winner of the RYA Club of the Year Award 2016

Quadriplegic yachtswoman who sailed SOLO around the UK miraculously regains some feeling in her limbs

AN inspirational quadriplegic yachtswoman who sailed solo around the UK has miraculously gained limited movement in her limbs. Hilary Lister, who has a degenerative condition that left her paralysed from the neck down, has been recorded moving her arms and one leg. The 44-year-old feeds herself a biscuit and strokes her pet dog, in a video passed to the Sunday Mirror. Hilary has since revealed that she began to regain movement four months ago after a implant designed to provide pain relief triggered sensation in her limbs. The sailor, who used a straw in her mouth to control her boat during her remarkable feat, initially hid the developments from friends and family fearing the limited movement would only be temporary. Hilary told the Sunday Mirror: “There’s no end to my dream of where this could end up. It’s completely ­uncharted territory. As far as I know I’m the first person this has happened to. It is an ­incredible story, but it’s true.” The yachtswoman, nominated for Sports Personality of the Year in 2005, has a rare degenerative condition called reflex sympathetic dystrophy. She was diagnosed with the condition in her teens and gradually lost the use of her limbs. In 2009 Hilary hit headlines after she beat the odds and completed a 14-month journey to become the first female quadriplegic to sail around the UK. Four years earlier she had become the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the Channel. She directed her boat by sucking and blowing on three straws. The video showing her recently gained movement was handed to the Sunday Mirror by a source concerned Hilary had not given a fair account of her condition. But, the sportswoman has explained that limited movement returned after a procedure in 2015. She said: “I have been a quadriplegic since the age of 28 or 29 when I lost the use of my hands. Any suggestion I lied about my capabilities is completely wrong." The procedure saw a implant put into Hilary's spine to help with pain control by activating electrodes. She added: “They turned it on and to everyone’s astonishment it worked. I immediately felt pins and needles in both of my arms and my left leg and twitches where I'd never had anything before. It was like magic." In June this year she began to have trembles of movement and things have gradually progressed. Speaking about her remarkable sailing achievements to a BBC Documentary she had said: “It’s about showing people anyone can live an active life – even somebody who can just move their head.”

Sailing club members continue tradition

THE Prescott Trophy, traditionally sailed in fancy dress and the last race of the main Lyme Regis sailing season, was held on Sunday in conditions that race officer Pete Thomas described as ‘enjoyable if not exciting.’ A line-up of crews in various outfits over their sailing gear was followed by the 16 competitors drifting out to the start, but after the first series race, the Prescott Trophy benefited from a breeze which kept the fleet moving steadily. Sunshine and warm temperatures are unusual for this stage of the season, and the first four on handicap finished within a minute of each other after an hour long race. Jerry Rook and Helen Bruno had a 20 second lead over Colin Walters and Simon Law. The first nine boats completed the race within five minutes of search other. The winter season continues for a handful of keen racers until Christmas. The Youth Section prize giving takes place on Saturday before the town fireworks.

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