Princess Anne gives a Churchouse sailing boat her seal of approval

A SAILING boat built in north Hampshire has received a royal seal of approval. The Princess Royal, president of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) and patron of RYA Sailability, did the honours at the Churchouse Boats stand at the London Boat Show last week. The Drascombe Longboat, called Penny Wake, will be an addition to the growing number of boats used by Rutland Sailability, at Rutland Sailing Club, in Leicestershire. The vessel has been built to include various modifications to the standard Drascombe Longboat, to make it easier for disabled people to use. Churchouse Boats is run by husband and wife team Simon and Sharon Harwood, at Apsley Sawmill, in Hurstbourne Priors, near Whit-church. Delighted that the princess accep-ted the invitation to name the boat on behalf of Rutland Sailability, Simon said: “She said the boat looked lovely and was surprised that we have a small team of three producing such wonderful boats.” The London Boat Show certainly proved to be fruitful as the firm secured a deal to build a new boat, along with numerous spares and accessories. “It’s a great show worth going to as there is always competition out there from other boat builders, and so we are able to show off our product, which has been built to a high standard, for all to see. “Going to the show also opened up an opportunity for us to work with other Sailability groups and network with potential suppliers.” Simon added: “Our business continues to grow through building new boats, brokerage sales, refurbishments and spares, which are sold not just in the UK, but also worldwide.”

A Teenage Girl Grows Older and Wiser While Sailing Solo Around the World

Dutch teenager Laura Dekker set out at fourteen on a solo sailing trip around the globe. Her journey covered 27,000 nautical miles and lasted 519 days, and she currently holds the unofficial record for youngest person to accomplish such a feat. Dekker’s incredibly impressive adventure mostly through footage she took herself while sailing apart from friends, family and strangers alike. We get to watch as this confident and capable young woman deals with inclement weather, impending madness caused by doldrums, and a constantly developing desire for a life other than the one she left behind in Holland. By the time she crosses the equator, dancing alone in a party hat and offering pancakes to Neptune, you’ll find yourself loving her spirit and personality nearly as much as she loves the sea. “Freedom is when you’re not attached to anything.” Dekker’s larger journey of life began off New Zealand where she was born on a boat to parents who themselves had set out to sail the world. They made a home on land a few years later, but the saltwater bug was already coursing through Laura’s little veins. When her parents split up she chose to stay with the one who shared an affection for sailing, but life with her father also shaped her into an independent and self-sustaining child. That drive helped her win a ten-month-long court battle with the Dutch government who wanted to stop her plans to sail the world solo, even going so far as attempting to take custody away from her dad. She set sail in August of 2010 intent on setting the age record, but while other teens focused on speed, Laura was more interested in seeing and experiencing the world around her. She made multiple stops along the way, and we see her time split between the solitary life aboard the Guppy and her brief, social excursions at various ports or with fellow sailors. Her initial jubilance is tempered by ravioli disasters and clumsiness as she learns to film while going about her business on a rocking boat, but even as her spirit sinks and nerves settle in at the beginning of the 2200 -mile stretch across the Atlantic ocean, she stays remarkably focused and controlled. There are tense moments as storms approach, water gets in where it shouldn’t, and Laura works to navigate a deadly, reef-filled strait at night in the rain, but the film is filled with vitality, charm, and a sense of humor. Animated maps show the legs of the trip with watercolors and personalized little touches highlighting her dog Spot, where she was when she turned 15, and more add a human touch. A scene counting the days trapped by dead winds in the Indian ocean features Laura joking that “bobbing on the waves for days” is enough to drive someone crazy, and it’s followed by her introducing a bird that had taken up residence on the boat. “I’m only speaking English to him,” she says straight-faced, “because he probably doesn’t understand Dutch.”

Jubilee Sailing Trust - Be Inspired: Meet Jess

The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a Southampton based charity that promotes the integration of able-bodied and disabled men and woman through the medium of tall ship sailing. The JST owns an operates the only two tall ships on the planet that have been specifically designed to cater for people of all abilities. They are called Lord Nelson and Tenacious Lord Nelson is currently embarked on her maiden circumnavigation. This staggering 50,000 mile voyage is made even more incredible by the crew, people like Jess, who come on board and become part of the adventure Jess Mellish is a 16 year-old from New Zealand who was sponsored to travel with JST through the special needs unit at Te Puke High School. Jess has condition called Septo-optic Dysplasia, which caused the loss of her sight. On her voyage in New Zealand she climbed the mast in an incredible display of bravery. Lord Nelson is a 55-metre square rigged vessel that was purpose built in 1986 and has, along with her sister ship, Tenacious, had 40,000 customers. Of those, 15,000 have been disabled and 5,000 have been wheelchair users.

Sailor well on his way round the world !!

On November 11 last year 53-year-old Andrew Halcrow slipped quietly and unannounced out of port in his 30-foot yacht Elsi, on the start of a single-handed, 40,000-mile Falmouth to Falmouth west about circumnavigation. Andrew is no stranger to long distance sailing. The Shetland islander, a blacksmith by trade, has already sailed part the way around the world with his brother in a five-year long adventure beginning in 1988. However, he had a burning desire to sail single-handed around the world. In 2006 he set sail on a single-handed round the world voyage but 300 miles off the south Australian coast he suffered a burst appendix. He contacted his wife who alerted Shetland Coastguard, who in turn passed the information to their colleagues at Falmouth. An Australian aircraft located him just four hours after the initial alert. In a rescue operation co-ordinated by Falmouth Coastguard he was airlifted to hospital in Albany. His yacht was left to drift. Months later, relatively unscathed Elsi had drifted ashore in Australia. Andrew made arrangements to have his craft returned to Shetland on a freighter. At the time, Andrew insisted he had no intention of ever embarking on a similar journey again. After refitting Elsi he decided to have another attempt at his round the world voyage. This week, Andrew was sailing down the eastern coast of south America. He expects to be back in Falmouth in December. Elsi is averaging between 80 and 110 miles every day. His route is from Falmouth down through the North and South Atlantic, then round Cape Horn, up the west coast of South America, across the South Pacific in the SE trades to the Torres Straits, across the Indian Ocean, round the Cape of Good Hope and back up to Falmouth. Before sailing from Falmouth Andrew said: “If I don’t do it now, I am never going to do it. I dinna want to be sitting in an old folks’ home, being 90 years old and thinking I really should have done it.” Readers can follow Andrew’s progress at www.elsiarrub.co.uk

Hundreds of sailing clubs sign up for Bart's Bash ( World Record !! )

A total of 129 sailing clubs have already signed up for a Guinness World Record attempt in memory of Olympic and America's Cup sailor Andrew Simpson. And interest continues to grow for 'Bart's Bash', which aims to get thousands of sailors racing at hundreds of locations across the world simultaneously on 21 September 2014 at 11am (BST). The original plan was for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF) event to be 'the largest dinghy sailing race in the world ever' but after organisers were inundated by requests from yacht clubs wishing to take part, the event has been expanded to encompass yachts and multihulls. Event spokesman Jez Payne said: 'ASSF Bart's Bash is now set to be a world first event - embracing the concept of sailors racing each other from clubs across the country, racing across continents and racing across the categories of boats; from dinghies to yachts to multihulls. 'We will be investigating the Guinness Records for the largest yachting events, the UK Round the Island hits 30,000 sailors, we will have to re-set the target probably above 50,000, five times the original goal.' Loch Tummel Sailing Club in the Scottish Highlands was the 100th club to sign up to the event, just five days after it was launched on 17 December. A spokesman for the club said 'Loch Tummel SC is very proud to be involved with the ASSF Bart's Bash and we look forward to getting as many boats out on our beautiful loch as possible. 'We will have participants ranging from the young sailors in their Oppies to their grandparents in their Flying Fifteens and Yeomans taking part and are really looking forward to doing our bit to break the record.' Double Olympic medallist Andrew Simpson, who was nicknamed 'Bart', tragically died aged 36 in May 2013 while training for the 34th Americas Cup. All proceeds from Bart's Bash will go to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, a charity set up in his memory to encourage youngsters into sailing. How to take part Greater details about Bart's Bash will be announced on 1 February. For a full list of participating clubs visit www.bartsbash.co.uk To sign your club up, email tim@bartsbash.co.uk

Largest Dinghy Gathering Ever - World record attempt

The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, founded by Sir Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy and family members to encourage youngsters into sailing, is planning a monster sized attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for 'The Largest Dinghy Sailing Race' in the World Ever, which they are calling 'Bart's Bash'! The idea is to have a mass participation club race simultaneously across Britain. Pretty much every club in the country has a race on Sunday morning, with all kinds of boats taking part, the goal is to get everyone participating together to create one big race. The goal is to get over 200 clubs taking part, with over 10,000 sailors on the water, they will become new Guinness World Record Holders for dinghy racing in Andrew 'Bart' Simpson's name. Jez Payne from 'The Bart Project' commented 'It is one of those ideas that has huge potential to be a major, major event that absolutely honours the core of what Andrew was about'. British sailors who are the 'right person to sign their club up' are invited to email tim@bartsbash.co.uk. An event briefing for clubs & competitors is going to be launched on the first of February and there will be further dates for the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions. 'Bart's Bash' will be on Sunday 21st September, 2014, so there's plenty of time to plan. To get more details, go to the website: http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/

Brave Teenager Is Sailing To Hobart For The First Time - Without Her Wheelchair

While the conditions will be challenging, the 16-member crew of the 16-metre Lyons 54 faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES should be up for the challenge, having previously survived and won the 1998 race, the toughest yet. On board the boat in her first Hobart is Grace Kennedy, 19, who has spina bifida and is normally in a wheelchair. She left it behind this morning as she climbed about the boat, skippered by Kirk Watson, who is legally blind and competing in his 9th race. Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) was founded by David Pescud to help disabled and disadvantaged young people and they’ve competed in 16 Rolex Sydney to Hobart races. faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES is already showing its ability as one of the first 20 boats out Sydney Heads and currently leads its division. SWD is still ‘seeking sponsorship for the boat’, which costs just $25, tax deductible, and donors will have their photo on the hull of the yacht for 12 months. Business Insider will continue to monitor and report the progress of faceboat Sailors with disABILITIES as she races to Hobart.

Portsmouth host special Christmas race today !!

Portsmouth Sailing Club are holding a one-of-its-kind event as they host a boat race on Christmas Day in aid of the RNLI. Today, the sailing club have been granted special permission to race from the entrance of the harbour as Christmas Day is the only day when the Royal Navy do not use this entrance nor is it used for commercial shipping. One of the boats involved in the Christmas Credit: Portsmouth Sailing Club The event has previously attracted high profile participants such as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston among other willing competitors. The event is open to all types of boats there is expected to be lots of fancy dress.

From oars and lakes to rudders and seas

Australia’s Sarah Cook is no stranger to international competition and racing on the water in pursuit of Olympic dreams. Cook, who spent ten years in the Australian Rowing Team, has swapped 2,000 metre dashes in a boat of eight to sailing up and downwind in the Women’s Two Person Dinghy, the 470. The tall 28-year-old recently celebrated her one year sailing anniversary but her physique immediately caught the eye of one Australian sailing hero who saw a match made in heaven, 'I met Elise Rechichi, my helm, back in London at a sushi train of all places at the London airport when we were leaving the Olympics,' commented Cook. 'I’d just competed in the women’s eight for Australia and met Elise randomly. It just so happened that she was a after a new crew and apparently when I stood up she said it was love at first sight. For her having a tall crew is the most important thing and there I was.' Rechichi had a fresh slate with Cook who entered the sport for the first time in an Olympic event, 'I’d never sailed, I literally did a learn to sail course last September and got into the 470 for the first time in October. It’s been a very steep learning curve. It was nine months in the boat by the time we got to the Worlds in La Rochelle. We learnt a lot in those nine months but we were really happy with how our international season ended up.' Cook knows what it takes to become an Olympian. Ten years of hard work and dedication resulted in her representing Australia at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games. Both Olympic sports require certain physical and mental aspects and Cook has enjoyed the transition, 'It’s so different to compare the two sports,' she said. 'I’ve literally transformed myself I feel from one kind of athlete that you have to be for rowing to a sport that’s so highly technical and tactical. There’s just so much to know not only on your tasks and what you’re doing in the boat but then in terms of strategy and fleet racing on top of that.' Rio 2016 is firmly in sight for Cook but she doesn’t plan on making any more changes for Tokyo 2020, 'I’m definitely going to stick with the sailing,' she added. 'I’m loving the sport and I think a big part of that is having a change and learning something new. It’s such a great opportunity for me to have the challenge of transforming the kind of athlete I am from a rower which is one end of the spectrum to a sailor at the other.' At ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne Cook is competing with 2013 ISAF Youth Worlds 420 gold medallist Carrie Smith after Rechichi pulled out on medical grounds. The duo got off to a wonderful start, taking the lead on the opening day but have slipped to fourth with only the Women’s 470 Medal Race to go. Cook concluded, 'We only had one sail together before this regatta and Carrie has come from 420s so it’s a big challenge for us to connect as a team but for her to learn to sail the 470 as well. 'She’s doing an amazing job. We’ve had some good races and some not so good races but all in all we’re enjoying this week.'

Blind sailor leading the way in SydHob

A blind skipper in this year's Sydney to Hobart doesn't consider his condition a problem, with plenty of eyes to help him. Kirk Watson, who suffers from the degenerative disease Retinitis Pigmentosa, will be the leader aboard Sailors with disABILITIES in this month's race. "Kirk's leadership is inspirational, this will be an empowering journey for him and the whole crew," said Malcolm Turnbull, the Federal Communications Minister and patron of the group. Watson started offshore racing in his early 20 when his vision was already being affected by the disease Retinitis Pigmentosa. He can see when the sun is bright but has no effective vision and is legally blind. Soon to embark on his ninth Sydney to Hobart, 40-year-old Watson stressed his impaired vision was no obstacle to him sailing and and didn't represent a hazard to him or his crew. "There's always a few other people on the boat, so if there's something I need to see they let me know," Watson told AAP. He will stick primarily to his established role as a mainsail trimmer in addition to the extra decision making entailed by being the skipper. "I'll still be trimming the sail. Just because you're the skipper doesn't mean you steer the boat," Watson said. "I can steer a boat, I have steered a boat. "It comes down more to the fact there are far better steerers than me (on the boat), so I'm happy for them to steer the boat." He emphasised sailing was a sport that didn't just rely on vision and that feel was also an important aspect. "Sailing isn't all about being able to see a sail, there's so much more to it than that," Watson said. "There's also the technical side of trimming, and you've got your overall strategy. "How are you going to sail against your opposition? There's a lot of in the head stuff you do as well." Watson has sailed in the Sydney to Hobart on eight previous occasions, finishing five times. Showcasing the abilities of sailors suffering from a range of disabilities, the SWD program has a proud history in the race, contesting most years since its 1994 debut. In 2013, it has gone back to the 54-foot boat in which it won the PHS division of the Sydney to Hobart in 2007, after contesting more recent races in a TP52.

Lottery grant expands fleet

A grant from the Big Lottery Fund has boosted the fleet that enables disabled people to go sailing at Lackford Lakes. The grant has allowed West Anglia, Suffolk and Haverhill (WASH) Sailability to spend £7,978 on a specially adapted sailing boat and ancillary equipment, bringing its fleet to five vessels. The new boat, named Erica after the club’s first chairman Eric Bratt, was handed over at the club’s annual meeting on Saturday. Alan Turvey, from Wash Sailability, said: “The boats are specially designed with safety in mind, are very stable even in windy conditions and are suitable for both adults and children.” Sailability clubs worldwide offer sailing facilities and training to people with any form of disability, whether they want to sit in a boat or sail it themselves. WASH began in 2009 with a request from the Haverhill Association of Voluntary Organisations to Lackford-based St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing Association. For details call 01284 769101 or visit WASH’s website

LEICESTERSHIRE SAILING INSTRUCTOR WINS BBC UNSUNG HERO AWARD

Nearly 50 years of volunteering has been rewarded after 71-year-old Colin Magee of Burbage, Leicestershire won the title of BBC East Midlands Today Sports Unsung Hero 2013. Colin has got thousands of young people into sailing, breaking down the idea that it’s only a sport for the well off. Colin was given the award at a surprise presentation on Tuesday morning and was reduced to tears. “I am absolutely overwhelmed. It is just something I do. I get people on the water. It is something I can share. And if I can get just one young person off the streets and away from trouble than I have done something.” He is the driving force behind the Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Sailing Team, running courses for schools and youth groups and entering teams into Regattas. Colin is also a key figure in fund raising activities, making sure there are boats available for use and suitable sailing clothing. He charges no membership fee and offers free instruction. When he’s not on the water, he’s maintaining boats to the highest possible standard. The award organiser, Mark Shardlow of BBC East Midlands, said: “Colin is a fantastic example of someone who has given time and effort to help others play sport. He has clearly had a major impact on sport in the East Midlands. The judging panel were particularly impressed that he’s recruited so many volunteers to act as coaches, judges and committee members to ensure the club has a legacy.” Graham Chilvers, from Hinckley and Bosworth District Counil, nominated Colin. He said: “In Colin’s eyes everyone can have fun sailing. He has a singular ability to motivate and inspire. He is a very special man.” Colin now moves on to the national final. The results will be revealed at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award on Sunday 15th December live on BBC One.

Sailing taster day for 100 disabled people

A SAILING school owner has described a taster day which gave 100 disabled people the opportunity to get on the water as a ‘fulfilling and humbling experience.’ Even before the open day at Mylor Sailing School began on Saturday, owner Tracey Boyne said she was “overwhelmed” by the demand for places across the five workshops. ​ Now she is even more determined to take her project to the next stage and secure enough funding to set up a social enterprise which will make the pleasure of learning to sail a reality for disabled people across the county. “The idea for this open day was to find out the demand for a disabled sailing school,” said Miss Boyne, from the sailing school near Falmouth. “You can’t apply for funding until you can prove demand and we have been completely overwhelmed.” One of the main attractions was the chance to be taught by John Robertson, who has represented Team GB at three Paralympic games. The volunteers and instructors, including Mr Robertson, took out three large sailing dinghies and three powerboats in each of the taster workshops. During the open day, staff gathered information to see how many of them wanted to learn to sail on a regular basis in the future. “It was a really great response,” said Miss Boyne. “The day went smoothly, but it was just not what I expected, to get that many people there and for so many people wanting to do it. “It was very fulfilling. I was pretty choked up watching them all go out on the water, and to hear some of them coming back saying how it was the best thing they had ever done. “I also had some tear jerking emails after the day saying they can’t wait for the club to get going. It was very humbling.” Miss Boyne’s next step is to apply for funding to meet her target of getting the new school, the Mylor Sailability Group, up and running by March. “Sport England has just opened up new streams of funding for disabled support,” she said. “We are going to apply for those.” “We have already been offered funding from the West Cornwall Youth Trust (WCYT) and Cornwall Sports Partnership (CSP). “But the big funding from Sport England will take a bit longer.” Miss Boyne stresses that a project like this is not possible without help. On the open day she had 15 volunteers , support from CSP’s Steve Hillman, WCYT’s Nick Fletcher and Roger Graffy, owner of Mylor Yacht Harbour, whose help was “never ending.” “And John Robertson has just been such a great inspiration for disabled people,” she said. People as far afield as Penzance and Bodmin came to Mylor on Saturday. Apart from Stithians Lake, there is nowhere else in Cornwall which offers disabled sailing instruction.

Volvo Ocean Race: All-female crew 'not proving a point'

Sam Davies, the woman leading the first all-female crew to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race in 12 years, says they have nothing to prove ahead of their departure for 12 months of training. Team SCA leave for a year's worth of training in Lanzarote ahead of the round-the-world sailing race. "I don't think we're out there to prove a point," Davies, leader of the seven-strong team, told BBC South Today. One of Davies's grandfathers was a submarine commander, while the other was a powerboat racer pilot When she was 23, she attempted the Jules Verne round-the-world race with an all-female crew but lost her mast near Cape Horn She finished fourth in the Vendee Globe in 2009, completing the journey in 94 days, four hours and 39 minutes "For those of us out there it's just a race and we're there on equal grounds." She continued: "We just want to do the best we can. Once we are racing we don't even think about being an all-girl racing team - we just want to try and get on the podium. "As an all-female crew it's an opportunity to go out and perform. "Volvo Ocean Race have made the rules better for us so as an all-female crew we can take more crew members and that will make the racing a little bit fairer, because physically it's very hard. "So we should be able to go out there and sail the boat as well as a male crew." The race begins in Alicante on 4 October 2014 and Davies will be joined by Abby Ehler, Stacey Jackson, Annie Lush, Liz Wardley, ​Carolijn Brouwer and Sophie Ciszek. Davies, who has competed in two Vendee Globe races, is aware just how big a challenge it is for her and her team-mates, and admits the next year of training in Lanzarote will be crucial to their chances of success. "This next 12 months will be a big learning curve," said Davies. "All the boats are identical so it means it's the sailor and the crew that makes the difference. Every hour counts when we prepare for this. "Individually, we have a lot of experience but as a crew we don't so we have a lot of work to do to learn how to sail this boat. "We are based in Lanzarote because it's the perfect place to train. The wind is always around 25 knots, so it is tough conditions pretty much all of the time but perfect for training. "It's on an island, so within five minutes we are out in the ocean. The climate helps, we don't stop for training and having the wind and the water a little bit warmer means we can train for longer." Having competed in two Vendee Globes, Davies is used to isolation while sailing so admits it will be nice to return to being part of a team. "For me it's quite different," she said. "It's really nice. I started in all-female crew so it's nice to get back to that. It's not so much a psychological or mental challenge, but more a physical one. It's great to be back with some amazing sailors, Olympic medallists and we are learning so much together." Davies will be leaving behind her two-year-old son, but says the chance to compete in the nine-month race, which is held every three years, was too big an opportunity to turn down. "It is a big commitment," she admitted. "But it's such a big opportunity to do the Volvo Ocean Race so leaving home and missing the family is a sacrifice that is part of this opportunity and we are lucky enough to have great support around us.

Lord Nelson takes part in international fleet review

Lord Nelson, owned by Southampton-based charity, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, represented the nation’s tall ship fleet at the Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour yesterday. The invitation to take part in this weekend’s centenary celebrations for the Royal Australian Navy, attended by HRH Prince Harry, was the catalyst for the ship’s current 50,000-mile, two-year global voyage. Lord Nelson is one of only two ships in the world that are built to be fully accessible and is sailed by physically disabled and able bodied crew members as equals. The 55-metre square rigger is undertaking the first ever circumnavigation by such a vessel, the Norton Rose Fulbright Sail the World Challenge, which aims to promote inclusion and equality in each of the 30 ports of call. 'This is a truly exciting initiative which brings together people from all walks of life and all physical abilities to sail side by side across the world’s oceans on this extraordinary ship,' said Norton Rose Fulbright , Australia’s Managing Partner, Wayne Spanner. So far more than 500 people from 25 countries, approximately half of whom are physically disabled and include 54 wheelchair users, have taken part in the journey, which set off from Southampton, UK, in October 2012, riding the wave of the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Lord Nelson is carrying one of the London 2012 Paralympic torches and a number of international Paralympians, including Sydney 2000 Gold Medallist, Michael McLean, have sailed on board Lord Nelson. Among those on board for the voyage arriving in Sydney this week was a contingent of Australian Defence Force personnel, as well as representatives of Help For Heroes, the UK charity which works to rehabilitate injured service personnel. Lord Nelson will take part in the International Tall Ships race from Sydney Harbour to Auckland, departing on 10 October, and will undertake four voyages in New Zealand waters before she sets sail on 15 December to cross the Southern Ocean and round the infamous Cape Horn. There are just a few spaces remaining on the voyage from Sydney to Auckland for those wishing to be part of the crew sailing into New Zealand waters with Lord Nelson for the first time. Berths are available for both able bodied and physically disabled people for the voyages in New Zealand. A ‘buddy’ system on board pairs able bodied and disabled crew to offer mutual help and support during the passage. The lower age limit is 16 and there is no upper age limit. No sailing experience is necessary as the permanent crew will give all the training and guidance needed to get the most out of the voyage, whether that is showing a crew member how to climb the rigging, steer the ship or haul on a rope to help set the sails. The ethos on board is to focus on what each person is capable of, rather than what they can’t do. Lord Nelson is due to return to the UK in September 2014.

A woman who has never sailed before is taking on the world’s longest ocean race.

A story of a badly injured sailor during an around-the-world-race is enough to turn most people off the high seas, but not Anne Jobbins, 43, from Sutton, who was inspired to take on the challenge after hearing such a story. Miss Jobbins normally works as a personal advisor at the Jobcentre in Sutton but on Monday she flew to Rio, in Brazil, to join her crew on a journey across the South Atlantic to Cape Town as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Asked why she decided to take on such a challenge Miss Jobbins said: "There was nothing to stop me really. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. I don’t like to say that’s the reason I’m doing it but that kind of experience does make you a different kind of person. "I do look at things a bit differently. I’m not in it for the challenge, don’t get me wrong it is a challenge but I’m really in it for the experience. It’s going to be absolutely awesome. "Before I started this I had never sailed before. I’d never been on a boat unless you count the ferry to France and I have only done that once. "The training they give you it really intense. You live on the boat for the week you are training." Miss Jobbins is not the only person from Sutton taking on the race, Fred Mundle, 67, from Carshalton Beeches is flying out to Rio on October 4 to join his crew. Retired consultant, Mr Mundle, has sailed before but not on a scale like this. He said: "On one of our training courses we had severe gale force winds of 10 or 11 so we are prepared for anything. You just don’t know what you are going to get."

Sir Keith Mills backs Sir Ben Ainslie

SIR KEITH MILLS is ready to set up a British America’s Cup team with Sir Ben Ainslie after Britain’s greatest sailor helped spark one of the biggest comebacks in sport. With billionaire Larry Ellison, owner of Ainslie’s victorious Oracle Team USA, promising to reduce costs to attract more teams, Mills wants to realise Ainslie’s dream of bringing the Auld Mug home for the first time since the inaugural race 162 years ago. “We could assemble an extraordinary, predominantly British team to go and win the cup,” said Mills, who played a leading role in organising the London Olympics. Ainslie said: “The America’s Cup started in the UK in 1851, we’ve never had it back since, so it’s about time we changed that.”

Team USA sails to historic victory

Yesterday in the San Francisco Bay, Oracle Team USA clinched the trophy in sailing’s greatest race, America’s Cup. The team narrowly knocked out Team New Zealand, who won four of the first five races. To regain its momentum, Oracle modified its boat, brought Sir Ben Ainslie aboard and proved its worth in dramatic fashion by winning eight races straight. In the final race, the team beat New Zealand by 44 seconds. The teams competing in the Cup are highly international, comprising Brits, Kiwis, Aussies, Americans. Emirates Team New Zealand was backed by a Dubai-based airline. Ainslie, a four-time British Olympic champion, worked brilliantly with skipper James Spithill and strategist Tom Slingsby – both Aussies – to turn the team’s fortunes around in what some are calling the most dramatic comeback in the history of the sport. “What a race it had everything,” Spithill told the BBC. “Man, these guys just showed so much heart.” He continued, “On your own you're nothing, but a team like this can make you look great. We were facing the barrel of a gun at 8-1 and the guys didn't even flinch. Thanks to San Francisco, this is one hell of a day.” Although the race ended with Oracle lifting the trophy – the Auld Mug – the Kiwis, led by skipper Dean Barker, put in a strong performance and clearly took the lead early on. Things began to change, however, when they began to have trouble dealing with strong winds. “It's obviously very hard to fathom. We went out there to give it our absolute best shot,” Barker said. “We felt we didn't leave anything on the table. When you're sailing against a boat going that fast it's very hard to swallow. It’s very frustrating. The gains they've made are phenomenal.” “I'm incredibly proud of our team and what they've achieved but I'm gutted we didn't get the last win we needed to take the Cup back to New Zealand.” Oracle also won the America’s Cup in 2010, clinching the mug from the Swiss team Alinghi in this extremely upper-crust competition. The winner each year determines the format, venue and timing of the next Cup. The specifications for this year’s Cup, laid out by the winners in 2010, were unique. Larry Ellison, billionaire Oracle co-founder who sponsors the team, and Oracle team captain Russell Coutts decided that the teams would use 72-foot catamarans with rigid wing sails. This change allowed the teams to reach speeds of more than 50 miles per hour. Some critics did not support this change, especially when Oracle’s catamaran capsized in the San Francisco Bay this May, killing two-time British Olympic medalist Andrew Simpson. Some referred to it as a “billionaire death match.” But the Cup is clearly about much more than money. Ellison “is obviously financially involved, but that’s not as important to him as the risk that he took in staging this spectacle on San Francisco Bay, in these high-tech catamarans, where nobody thought it was going to take hold, and now it’s taken hold in a bigger way then I think he had dreamed,” said Julian Guthrie, a San Francisco journalist who wrote The Billionaire and the Mechanic. “You're hitting near freeway speed – over 50 miles an hour,” San Francisco sailor Kimball Livingston told CBS. “These are the fastest boats ever built. We've never seen anything like this in any kind of sailing boat, much less the America's Cup.” An additional change this year: the races were held closer to shore, allowing easier access to television studios eager to increase audience interest in the sport, which has waned over the years. Faster boats and slicker televised coverage could be a winning combination for the future of the event.

Wayfarer Dinghy Cruise, Scotland May 2013

Tobermory 4 , Isle of Mull

Tobermory 3 , Isle of Mull

Tobermory 2 , Isle of Mull

Tobermory 1 - Isle of Mull

Cold Weather Sailing Tips

Take more clothes to the club than you think you might need. Carrying them should warm you up for a start! If your sailing wardrobe is inadequate, raid the cupboards for an old fleece or two. And it may be time to get the credit card out Basic principle: Never under-estimate the cold - it's far easier to strip a layer off if too hot than heat yourself up if you get chilled If your boat lives ashore rather than on a mooring, dress warmly in civvies whilst you rig up, including extra layers, hat, gloves, etc. No harm in sneaking thermals under the jeans or putting a (dry) sailing waterproof on together with your coat But if it is also chucking it down with rain, get the sailing gear on first Rig with a sense of purpose, this is no time for faffing about. If someone fancies a chat, save it for the changing room. Move the boat out of the wind if practicable. Check the toe-stap strings and the like - this is hardly the day for gear-failure to induce a swim Eat well before going afloat - this is not a time for low blood-sugar levels. And use the toilets too. Stripping-off to answer nature's call whilst out in the elements is not going to help keep you warm I have a theory that your head is a good source of wind-information. But if it aches with cold, forget that. Put on at least a beanie hat and better yet a balaclava - or both! Don't over-heat in the changing room, get sweaty then immediate freeze as you walk outdoors. Save putting on the last couple of layers until you have left the changing room, perhaps even until you go outside Don't wade into the water to launch if you can avoid it. If you really have to go deep water paddling regularly, get yourself a drysuit. Making the crew do it to save yourself is unacceptable Take an extra layer or two afloat - but store them somewhere dry - in an accessible tank or a dry-bag Don't wear leather sailing gloves - they keep your hands wet, which sucks the heat out of you. There are several alternative materials Do some gentle exercise to get the blood flowing Don't launch too early But once afloat, get busy. Don't sit there feeling miserable If you must hang about (due to general recalls for example) heave too and get out of the wind as much as you can. Also, if possible, sail to somewhere sheltered but not too far away from the start If you fingers get cold, suck them - you will be amazed Do some more gentle warming up afloat around the time of the 5-minute gun Do not be psyched out by the weather - embrace it and laugh; doing so will give you a real edge on the miserablists Light airs and cold are the biggest challenge all that sitting still If you come ashore feeling really cold, get warmed up, showered and changed before packing the boat up (but do take the sails down first)

A MUM has praised the yachtsman who taught her autistic son how to sail.

Carley Chamberlain, 26, was full of praise for Micky Early, 27, for his “time and patience” in helping her seven-year-old son David to develop. Now, just months after starting sailing at the Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club, David has gained the confidence to get in a boat on his own. Carley said David, who has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, began sailing at Easter. She said the help he had received from Micky, who is the training principal at the yacht club, had made a real difference. She said: “He did not socialise well so I started bringing him to the yacht club and he has been a completely different child ever since. He gets really into the sailing. He gets really focused on it. “Micky has taught my son for the past few months how to sail which isn’t easy as he is autistic.” “He has had the time and patience to give him one on one tuition for free. He has also done a lot for Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club as a volunteer,” added single mum Carley, from the King Oswy area of Hartlepool and who works as bar staff at the yacht club. She was so impressed, she has nominated Micky in the coach of the year category of the Hartlepool Mail Sports Awards. Micky, a member at the yacht club since he was ten, has loved helping David as well as dozens of other fledgling sailors. He said: “David’s progression is outstanding every week. He has gone from being scared of sitting in a boat with lots of people to getting in a boat by himself. He pushes himself every week.” Micky’s help has extended to all sections of the public. He’s held courses for students from High Tunstall, Dyke House, and Owton Manor Schools and said: “Hopefully, we are getting more primary schools in.” And when told he’d been nominated for an award, he said: “It’s nice to be recognised but I don’t really think about awards. I just do what I do.” Club commodore Barry Hughes said: “Micky is one of the best coaches on the North- East coast.” He said Micky had organised a family open day at the club which had been a huge success and another one was planned on September 14.

Matt Bugg starting Rio Paralympic campaign

London 2012 Paralympic sailor Matt Bugg leaves for Europe today to start the first stage of his campaign to represent Australia at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, sailing in the International 2.4R class. His first event will be the British open championships this coming weekend at Poole Yacht Club in Devon on the south coast of England which will host the 2.4mR open world championship in early September. The Tasmanian, who finished a creditable seventh overall at the London Paralympics, will be joined at Poole by his coach, Richard Scarr, and two other Australian 2.4mR class sailors from Canberra, Mark Duram and Michael Leydon. The Australians will then train with the British team before heading to Kinsale in Ireland for the IFDS Disabled Sailors World Championships from 22-30 August. This will be the first major Paralympic event following London 2012 with 120 disabled sailors from 20 countries expected to attend the regatta. 'We expect that Matt will be sailing in a fleet of 45 2.4.mRs, the single-handed Paralympic keelboat, while other Australians will be competing in the Sonar and Scud classes,' coach Richard Scarr told ‘The Mercury’ before flying out from Hobart on Sunday. Following the IFDS worlds, Bugg will return to Poole for the International 2.4mr Open championship for both disabled and fully able sailors. 'He will be facing 80 boats starting off the one line,' Scarr added. 'We have spent the past six months getting in some intense sailing on the Derwent, working on sail development, technical improvements to Matt’s boats and on race strategy, working with the other 2.4mR sailors from Canberra. 'Next year will see some more heavy race programs, including the first Paralympic qualifying regattas for Rio, to be sailed in Canada,' Scarr added.

Disabled Sailing Festival returns to Rutland

Sailors with a wide and varying range of disabilities will again descend on Rutland Water for the 7th RYA Sailability Multiclass Regatta this weekend (10-11 August). Sponsored by Sport England and the Joan Braithwaite Sailing Trust, the regatta is the largest of its type in the country with competitors coming from all over Britain, and in some cases Europe, to compete in one of 10 classes. The event attracts sailors with a huge array of ambitions, from those who are relatively new to racing or simply enjoy competing to those with serious Paralympic aspirations. Rutland Sailing Club has hosted the regatta since its launch in 2007, and home club, Rutland Sailability, will as always have a strong contingent at the event, with some 15 local competitors bidding to make home advantage count. Debbie Blachford, RYA Sailability Manager, said: “We love bringing the Multiclass Regatta back to Rutland each year. It’s a great piece of water to accommodate more than one fleet and it’s a very accessible club with good facilities, great for networking and lots of interaction between the classes. “The regatta is a fantastic showcase of the talent we have within the disabled community and it’s a great social event too with many spectators coming along to support and meet other disabled people who share a common interest in the sport. “The whole ethos of Sailability focuses on the acceptance that everyone is different and it’s what each individual can do, not what they can’t, that can be nurtured into a lifelong involvement in sailing.” More than 60 volunteers, most based locally at Rutland Sailability, plus a number of RYA Sailability Regional Organisers and helpers from the country’s many different Sailability groups, will also be on hand to assist with the running of the regatta and help the sailors on and off the water. Debbie added: “The invaluable help of the Rutland Sailability group makes the event happen. Boat launchers, tractor drivers, RAF safety boats and crew, tea makers and all the rest, they are the spirit of Sailability.” The weekend kicks off with a race training day on Friday, offering on-water and shore based training sessions for both newcomers and more advanced sailors. A full day of class racing takes place on the Saturday before day two of racing on Sunday and the weekend culminating with prize-giving, including awards for the top boat in each class and the Ken Ellis Trophy for the overall champion of champions. Richard Parker will be travelling from Switzerland to compete in the Neo 495 class. He said: “We choose to come to the Multiclass Regatta as it’s a great opportunity to sail with other boats, see other classes on the water and to meet other people.” RYA Sailability is the national programme, run by British sailing’s national governing body, which encourages and supports people with disabilities to take up the sport and helps clubs to develop facilities to deal with a wide and diverse range of abilities. Sailing is one of the few sports in which able-bodied sailors and disabled sailors can participate on equal terms. The 10 different boat types being contested at the event are Challenger, Access, 2.4mR, SKUD 18, Laser Stratos, Artemis, Neo 495, Kinsman, Squib and Sonar classes. For more information about RYA Sailability and the Multiclass Regatta visit www.rya.org.uk/programmes/ryasailability or contact the Sailability team on 0844 556 9550 or at sailability@rya.org.uk

At Cowes Week - Alex Thomson nails it!

In an unexpected twist, solo Round-the-World Yachtsman, Alex Thomson, who was the sailor least expected to win ahead of the race, nailed it taking the speed title and £1,000 for 'Sported' - the UK’s leading sporting legacy charity of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. However it wasn’t easy for Alex, as he fought off strong competition from Olympic windsurfing medallist, Nick Dempsey and the Moth, raced by Olympic gold medallist, Paul Goodison. Sam Lutman-Pauc, more comfortable in extreme kitesurfing conditions and long distance speed challenges struggled with the short racecourse and ripping tide. 'That was great fun! Paul Goodison is officially a lunatic on the racecourse, was not giving even an inch of any boat. I didn’t expect to win but really I owe it to the two guys onboard with me, grinding away, so they can take all the glory not me. But, it was great to win the £1,000 prize money for Sported, looking forward to handing it over to them.' Commented Alex, who in January became the third only ever British sailor to podium finish at the Vendee Globe. The race was delayed due to the light wind, but the four guys finally got up and out at around 18.00. The conditions in the Solent were challenging and tricky, the wind varied from 10 to 15 [knots], with two to three [knots] of current and a strong tide that went in the same direction as the wind. But, second placed Nick Dempsey on his windsurfer enjoyed the battle 'all day there’s been no wind and we really didn’t know if we would actually be able to do [the race], so after all the preparation and excitement, when the wind came in it was amazing. It was close, Goody (Paul Goodison) and I had a brilliant first reach, we were neck and neck, but when we gybed and headed up for the second lap, the wind had shifted a bit and we couldn’t get back up to the next mark in one tack, so we had to double-tack. Everything I Iost there meant that Alex was just getting further and further ahead, but it was still so close! There was a lot of current out there today, it wasn’t easy. It was a really good race, very exciting amazing to race next to Alex in Hugo Boss.' Paul Goodison, best known for his skill in the single-handed Laser dinghy, reached 18 knots once up foiling 'It was a great race, really good fun to be out there with all the other guys burning around at different speeds. I thought I won the start, had a nice lead going down the first leg. Nick was a little bit faster and started reeling me in, and then just before the gybe mark I got quite a lot of weed on the foils. Had a bit of a nightmare gybe and then really struggled to get on the foils coming back. I had to stop, capsize the boat on it's side and clear the weed off, which is never fast. Watching Nick sail away from me was pretty disappointed. Alex obviously did well but I want a rematch in the flat water so we can have some real action! Classic race though, and all for charity as well!'

Women sailors take on the challenge of the Rolex FastNet Race

This year’s Rolex Fastnet Race will see a number of women sailors taking part, when the world’s largest offshore race sets sail from Cowes on Sunday 11th August. With the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship event breaking new records in terms of the size of its fleet, this biennial race from Cowes to the Fastnet Rock off southwest Ireland and back around the Isles of Scilly to Plymouth, has attracted several well known women to take part. Spindrift 2 largest boat The largest boat on the start line will be the 40m trimaran Spindrift 2, which as Maxi Banque Populaire in 2011 completed the course in just 32 hours 48 minutes. Since the last race, this, the fastest offshore boat in the world, has been sold to the Franco-Swiss Spindrift racing team. Her new co-skippers are Yann Guichard and Dona Bertarelli, whose brother Ernesto Bertarelli has been involved with the America’s Cup with his Alinghi team. Spindrift 2 is obviously gunning to beat the existing record but putting up a challenge will be Vendee Globe competitor, Dee Caffari on Oman Air-Musandam. Seventh Fastnet for Dee Caffari For Dee this will be her seventh Fastnet, her first having been as skipper of Group 4 in 2001. In 2007, her IMOCA 60 Aviva had to pull out with a ripped mainsail and a very sick Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent on board, while last time she was on Steve Ravussin’s MOD70, Race for Water. Dee, who this year joins Sidney Gavignet’s team on Oman Air-Musandam said, “I’d never done the race that quick before in my life, so I am really delighted I’m back on a MOD70,” Omani sailor Raya Al Habsi As part of Oman Sail’s efforts to develop women’s sailing in the sultanate, Omani sailor Raya Al Habsi will also be competing on board. She has previously competed in Sailing Arabia – The Tour in 2012 and 2013. As to their prospects this year Oman Air-Musandam will be up against another MOD70 in the Seb Josse-skippered Edmond de Rothschild. Dee remembers two years ago when her crew match- raced another MOD70 Veolia Environnement for the entire race. “I am really looking forward to being back in that intensity again” she said. Overseas boats Of the 350+ boats competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race this year one third of the fleet, 119 boats are from overseas. The boat having travelled furthest is Geoff Boettcher’s Secret Men’s Business 3.5, from Adelaide in South Australia. 3.5 refers to how the boat’s original hull was chopped away from the deck, and somehow replaced with an upgraded design four foot longer, now up to 51ft. This dramatic modification worked, for in 2010 she won the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Secret Men’s Business 3.5 rates well under IRC and is expected to be a strong contender for the overall IRC prize. Looking for a hat-trick Looking for Rolex Fastnet Race honours will be Bella Mente, Hap Fauth’s Mini Maxi which will be trying to beat Rán 2. Niklas Zennström’s team on Rán 2 will attempt to become the first to ever win the Rolex Fastnet Race three times in a row: Bella Mente is a newer generation Judel-Vrolijk design and beat Rán 2 to the Mini Maxi World title last year so this will make for some very interesting racing. On the 11th August there will be a succession of starts for the various classes, with the full starting sequence taking two hours.

Jeanne from Ealing (uk) is the oldest woman to sail around the world

THEY say third time is the charm and that was definitely the case for intrepid pensioner Jeanne Socrates who broke a world record earlier this month. The 70-year-old from Ealing is now the oldest woman in the world to sail non-stop around the world unassisted after two failed attempts. After nearly nine months crossing the most dangerous stretches of open water in the world, Mrs Socrates is now back on dry land after getting back safely to her starting point of Victoria, British Columbia at around 2am on July 8. Mrs Socrates, a grandmother of three said: “I feel great. Lots of friendly people have been coming by to see me here or emailing. I got a lovely welcome on arrival, even though it was 2.20am. “It was eight and a half months of very mixed sailing and conditions, from the usual Southern Ocean strong weather, with even stronger stuff occasionally. “There were also way more periods of calm weather than I’ve experienced in my two previous Southern Ocean crossings, which is why it took a lot longer than I’d expected as originally I’d hoped for something like seven months sailing time.” Although she was by herself during the entirety of her trip, Mrs Socrates said she never felt isolated. She said: “I got lots of emails and also had frequent radio contact with people in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada, all of whom were very supportive and friendly. “The best moments were frequent, like being far across the Southern Ocean with lots of birds around, albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, prions, all getting uplift off the big swell. “The worst moments were definitely when I had to climb the mast on my way down towards Cape Horn. It was really tough – I had to dig deep to force myself to get to the top, despite the motion of the boat trying to fling me off the mast frequently. “I would be very tired and covered in deep blisters on my fingers and bruising on my arms from grabbing hand-holds and clinging on for dear life.” “It feels good to know I’ve finally managed to achieve the non-stop round-the-world trip after my previous two unsuccessful attempts and can cross it off the list and relax, with no deadlines in sight.” Mrs Socrates said she hopes to be back in Ealing soon, but only for a short while as she has plenty of work to do on her vessel, Nereida. “I can’t afford to be away from her for too long at present. I have no plans for any particular celebration on my return but it will be good to see family and friends,” she said. Despite making history on the waves, she has no plans to stop sailing, adding: “I’m planning to get the boat repaired, although that will take quite a time because there’s so much to do, and I’m looking forward to organising Nereida for plenty of relaxed cruising in warm places over the next few years.” She added she is also busy collecting donations for Marie Curie Cancer Care. You can find out more at her website www.svnereida.com.

Princess Anne launches safety boat

The Princess Royal visited Hykeham Sailability, Lincoln, to launch a new safety boat for the organisation. Hykeham Sailability “organises sailing for anybody with a disability and is part of the Royal Yachting Association. It encourages sailing at all levels from absolute beginner to those who represent their country at the Paralympics.” Princess Anne launched the new boat, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sleaford, as Patron of the Royal Yachting Association: Hyekham is part of the Association’s Sailability scheme. The boat will help provide additional safety to those disabled people who sail there and was partially funded by the Rotary Club to the tune of £6,500. Rotarian Kevin Roberts said: “This boat will enable further groups of disabled would be sailors to access and enjoy the freedom of sailing.”* The Princess Royal chatted with members of the club and cut a birthday cake in celebration of the organisation’s fifth birthday.

Sail along to club’s open day

Did the Paralympics inspire you to be more active? Or are you looking for a new outdoors activity where everyone is equal. Northampton Sailability is hosting its annual open day on Saturday, August 3, at its base at Pitsford reservoir. Everyone is welcome and you can have a go at sailing for free from 10am to 3pm. Northampton Sailability is an established RYA Sailability site providing opportunities for disabled people to learn to sail and sail regularly as part of the national Sailability programme run by the sport’s national governing body, the RYA. The club has a fleet of boats designed especially for disabled sailors, and no previous sailing experience is necessary, just bring a sense of adventure and fun. RYA Sailability is renowned for the strength of its volunteers so if you have got time to offer to enable others to get afloat then come along and find out how you could get involved. You never need to have stepped into a boat in your life. Refreshments will be available throughout the day with strawberries and Pimms and fruit punch at lunchtime. No booking is required. Northampton Sailability is a recognised RYA Training Centre, and about 200 people regularly sail with the club. For more details visit www.northamptonsailability.org.uk

Marine festival at Conwy will help establish Wales' seafaring credentials

A NEW sailing event held in North Wales will help boost Wales' reputation among sailors. The All Wales Boat Show, held between marinas at Deganwy and Conwy, will help establish Wales as one of the best places in the world for sailing, according to Steve Morgan - chief executive of the Welsh Yachting Association. The show includes a £4million line-up of world-class boats - including a luxury cruiser, the Portofino 40, used by James Bond. Mr Morgan was one several guests at the event launch, which took place this morning (Wednesday) He said: “This show provides an excellent platform to promote and celebrate the marine leisure industry and is in the perfect location to showcase the marvellous scenery and sailing waters of North Wales. “Marine leisure is a key industry for Wales and events like this add to its importance. Wales’s Deputy Skills and Technology Minister Ken Skates, who opened the show, said: “Why anyone would need to go abroad I don’t know. “Wales, and in particular this area, has some real advantages which I call the three big Cs – the cost of sailing is less, it has a coastline you would struggle to find better anywhere and the clarity of its water."

America's Cup: Code 0's on Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand

Crew needed for sailing adventure

Young people in the North West can be nominated for one of 10 free places to join a yachting adventure on the Irish Sea. Winners will join the Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) North on-board James Cook, its 70-foot purpose built sail training yacht, during August, for its Irish Sea Adventure Challenge. Now the charity wants to hear from schools, colleges and youth work agencies in the North West to nominate deserving young people, aged 12 to 19, to win a spot on the voyages. No previous sailing experience is required and all equipment will be provided. Steve Lennon, general manager OYT North, said: "The Irish Sea Adventure Challenge is an exciting new project aimed at providing opportunity for young people in the North West to experience adventure under sail first hand. "If you know someone who loves adventure and deserves to have a fantastic time then we'd like you to nominate them to join our crews this summer." The competition is part of a drive to re-establish sail training opportunities for young people in the North West of England, including Cumbria, following the closure of Ocean Youth Trust Northwest, a trust which provided sail training on the Greater Manchester Challenge yacht. OYT North is committed to expanding its operations in the North West and will base James Cook between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness for three weeks in August. The trust will run the Irish Sea Adventure Challenge voyages and hold a series of Open Days for schools, colleges and organisations interested in finding out more about the charity's work with young people. The winners of the competition will have the chance to learn from Grace Metcalfe, skipper of James Cook and winner of the 2013 International Young Sail Trainer of the Year award from Sail Training International. Grace, from Garsdale, in Cumbria, had never set foot on a boat before sailing with OYT North as an 18-year-old in 2003 and became the youngest skipper in the UK sail training fleet when she took command of James Cook in 2008. Grace said: "Coming on an OYT North voyage is about much more than just learning to tie knots or taking the wheel for a short time, it's about stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself a little. It's also about making great friends and seeing incredible sights like dolphins riding the bow wave and the sun setting over the sea." Young people sailing aboard James Cook learn how to navigate, set sails and take the helm. To nominate a young person send an email stating - in fewer than 200 words - why the nominee deserves a place, to Rob Browell, at office@oytnorth.org.uk. Nominators must include their name, address, telephone number and contact details for the organisation they represent. Entries close at midnight on August 1. Individuals can book a voyage with OYT North by contacting Rob directly.

Disabled sailor looks abroad for round the world bid sponsorship

DISABLED sailing star Geoff Holt is looking abroad for sponsorship for his bid to sail around the world after failing to attract the cash from British businesses. Mr Holt, from Shedfield, has been planning the bid to become the first disabled sailor to circumnavigate the globe for the past two years. But despite his impressive pedigree he has struggled to find sponsorship for his latest record-breaking attempt. The 46-year-old quadriplegic already holds several records and has won numerous awards – he was the first disabled person to sail single-handed around Britain in 2007 and followed that up sailing unassisted across the Atlantic in 2010. Later that year he was made an MBE for his services to disabled sailing. He said: ‘The total cost of the project will be in the £3m to £5m bracket, but it’s not all necessarily from one company, it would be a whole range of sponsors. ‘But we haven’t been able to get the sponsors in this country, so I am looking at taking another disabled person with me.’ As a result Mr Holt is looking at bringing paraplegic French yachtsman and Paralympic table tennis player, Philippe Durieux, onboard with him. ‘I went to a boatshow in Paris and met someone who knew him and they put us in touch,’ he added. ‘He knows none of us are going anywhere without the sponsorship, and I’m not getting anywhere with British corporate sponsorship, so we’re widening the net. ‘With a Frenchman on the project it could attract French companies – the French love their sailing and are really supportive of it. ‘Their companies seem to be more prepared to get involved. But if British companies want to sponsor me, I’d more than gladly talk with them. Mr Holt has been wheelchair-bound since a diving accident when he was 18. It left him paralysed from the chest down and with only limited use in his arms. Any businesses interested in backing Mr Holt can contact him through his website, geoffholt.com

"sailing saved my life" by Hilary Lister

Sailing gives me a sense of freedom that I never thought would be possible again .. Hilary Lister had her life worked out from an early age. It was all planned, she was going to be a biochemist. She knew which exams she needed to pass, what grades she had to get, even where she wanted to work! Simple. Just stick to the plan. Growing up in Hampshire with three brothers resulted in Hilary being a bit of a tomboy. Hilary went to a boarding school just outside of Deal, in Kent when she was 8. She enjoyed an active lifestyle and participated in a variety of sports. Particular favourites were hockey, swimming and netball (captaining her school team in each sport). Hilary also fenced and was placed 3rd in 1984 in the Kent Under 13 competition. Hilary also enjoyed rugby and canoeing. When Hilary was 11, she began to experience discomfort in her knees whenever she played her beloved sport. It started with shooting pains in her legs, which she first dismissed as growing pains. By the time Hilary turned 13, she was in pain everyday and by the age of 15, she could no longer walk. Not something a teenager needs at that stage in her life. Doctors put Hilary in plaster from ankle to thigh and she was given a wheelchair. This meant Hilary was unable to return to school, which was difficult as it was the beginning of her GCSE year. Hilary tried as much as possible to lead a ‘normal’ life - albeit on 4 wheels rather than 2 legs! She continued to play the clarinet with the Oxford County Youth Orchestra. By the time she was 23 she had toured all over Europe and was regularly playing in venues such as the Festival and Royal Albert Halls in London. Hilary also gained her Teaching Diploma in 1991 from the Guildhall School of Music. She won the only music scholarship for sixth form entrants to the King’s School, Canterbury which allowed her to go back to school. Hilary has an amazing sense of not letting life pass her by, which became evident in her teenage years. Despite her body slowly giving up on her and becoming paraplegic, Hilary did not sit in her chair doing nothing. She started swimming and working out in the gym several times a week. Hilary’s commitment saw her swim fast enough to qualify for the Great Britain Paralympics squad. However she could not commit to the training schedule due to her desire to complete her school exams. After all, she was going to be a biochemist! It was then discovered Hilary had a progressive neurological disorder, diagnosed as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), which meant that over the coming years, as Hilary grew into a young woman, she would gradually begin to lose the use of almost all of her body whilst still leaving her in incredible pain. Hilary studied biochemistry at Jesus College, Oxford receiving a high 2.1, despite having to dictate her papers whilst flat on her back with an epidural drip on her spine. Hilary was offered a DPhil position at Oxford but chose to move to the University of Kent in Canterbury, to be near Clifford, her husband whom Hilary married in 1999. Just before she married Clifford, Hilary began to lose the use of her hands and arms. Hilary could no longer drive, continue her work as a biochemist, or play her clarinet. More than that, the most basic tasks, like eating and washing, suddenly had to be done for her. With her condition worsening, Hilary was forced to give up her life bit by bit - her mobility, her career as a biochemist, a secondary career as a clarinet teacher and most importantly, her independence. After losing everything she had always worked so hard to achieve, Hilary was housebound. After four years of complete inactivity and total dependence on others, she began to weigh up whether the quality of her life made it worthwhile continuing. During these darkest moments she was tempted to end it all but then there was a miracle. A friend introduced her to sailing. It was the first time she had left the house in three months. "Going out of the front door that day was the hardest thing I'd ever done", she says. Within a few minutes of being at the lake however, out in the wind and sunshine again, she had fallen in love with sailing and had found a new reason for living. It provided a fresh impetus and transformed life for Hilary. Hilary’s condition now is such that she is quadriplegic, only able to move her head, eyes and mouth. She lives in Kent with her husband Clifford and their chocolate labrador Lotti. Her home is wheelchair friendly and equipped with modern technology allowing her to use her computer through voice recognition. Through a switch she operates with her forehead, Hilary is able to control some of her environment, like changing channels on the television, answering the phone and opening the front door. However, she relies totally on her husband, carers and friends to do so much of her life for her. When Hilary says "sailing saved my life", she means it ...

Sailing success for inspirational Natasha

INSPIRATIONAL teenage sailor Natasha Lambert has completed her cross-Channel voyage today (Monday). The 16 year old, who has cerebral palsy and controls her specially-adapted boat Miss Isle Too using her mouth, set out from Boulogne at around 7.30am. She took just four and a half hours to reach Dover, two hours ahead of time, having sailed through swells of up to two metres and Force 4 and 5 winds. She has raised more than £2,000 on her online fundraising page so far, which will be split between the RNLI, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Wetwheels Solent. Natasha's mum, Amanda, who sailed alongside in the Wetwheels Solent boat said ahead of the trip: "Natasha took a long time to get to sleep, but she eventually did for around three or four hours. She was very excited and nervous, it was a fear of the unknown, we did double check if she wanted to go ahead and she said 'Yes, yes definitely.’ "Gary was being very practical about it, but I was just being a mum, I was very nervous." added Amanda. After completing the voyage, Natasha arrived in Dover to a hero's welcome, where hundreds of cheering well-wishers had gathered. Gary said: "It was foggy this morning and it could have shut us down, but once we set off the conditions were perfect. "She is very happy with herself that she completed it and did not let anyone down. She was completely shattered and exhausted, but she is feeling fine now. "We are very proud of her."

Disabled teenager sailing English Channel controlling yacht with her TONGUE

A disabled schoolgirl is to sail across the English Channel – controlling the yacht with her tongue. Wheelchair-bound Natasha Lambert was born with athetoid cerebral palsy, which affects her limbs and speech. But the determined 16-year-old will leave her chair behind to sail her 21ft adapted yacht from Boulogne to Dover. Her father Gary developed a device, utilising a straw inside a mountain bike helmet, to help Natasha sail using just her mouth to steer. Electrician Gary said: “From the moment she first experienced sailing, Natasha fell in love with the water. “She was determined to find a way to sail herself. I am so immensely proud of her.” The French Connection challenge will see Natasha, from Cowes, Isle of Wight, raise money for the RNLI, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Wetwheels Solent. She hopes to complete the 25-mile trip on Monday in seven hours. Last year, she sailed solo around the Isle of Wight and raised £17,000. Mum Amanda said: “Natasha can’t walk across the room yet she will be sailing from one country to the other.”

Free mooring for south coast sailing charity catamaran

Poole Harbour Commissioners is supporting a local charity, Sports Forum for the Disabled, by providing them with a free permanent berth. Sports Forum for the Disabled provides sailing opportunities for the disabled and their carers on its 10-metre offshore sailing catamaran, Knoticat. Knoticat, , based at Port of Poole Marina, is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations and grants from charitable trusts. Last year the Poole-based charity took more than 500 people sailing in Poole Harbour and along the Jurassic Coast. Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: 'We are delighted we can help support a local charity that is so valuable in what they offer for the disabled. 'Sports Forum for the Disabled provides a real hands-on sailing experience and we hope that by berthing at our award-winning Port of Poole Marina they will be able to provide even more sailing opportunities throughout the year.' Knoticat's chief skipper, Ian Fisher, added: 'The free mooring in Port of Poole Marina will make an enormous difference to us and we are extremely grateful to Poole Harbour Commissioners for its support. 'It's from generous donations like this that mean we can continue to help the disabled." The catamaran, which can sail a maximum of 11 persons, including two crew, has been adapted for ‘roll on, roll off' wheelchair access throughout. All the ropes, lines and controls lead to one wheelchair adapted steering position and passengers are encouraged to steer and sail the boat with guidance from the charity's highly experienced skippers and crew. Weather permitting, the Knoticat operates five days a week and trips are free of charge. For booking enquiries, call 07889 970702 or email booking@sailing4all.org.

Kids, Learn to Sail at Youth Sailing @ Chasewater

Kids, what could be better on a summer Saturday morning than messing about on the water and learning to sail with your mates? Youth Sailing @ Chasewater's latest RYA Start Sailing sessions for Under 18s kick off on the weekend of 6-7 July giving you to perfect chance to find out what all the on-the-water fuss is about. Sailing has everything; whether you want to get involved in a cool, sociable sport, which can be enjoyed by mums and dads too, or really ramp up the adrenaline by eventually getting into racing and attempting to become the next Ben Ainslie! RYA Start Sailing is an introduction to sailing providing all you need to know to get afloat and learn the foundation skills of the sport. You will soon be sailing on your own, as sessions include starting, stopping and turning, launching and recovering, rigging and safety. All equipment, such as buoyancy aids and training boats, are supplied, you just need a change of clothes, old trainers and a towel. Youth Sailing @ Chasewater (YS@C) is a registered charity offering a fun, friendly way for 10-18 year olds to sail, whether learning from scratch or improving skills. It is a recognised RYA Training Centre meaning it conforms to the highest standards of safety and quality. The club meets on Saturdays (9.30am-1pm) to mid-October, and youngsters can follow the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme, from Stages 1-4, while also getting involved in junior racing and club sailing with its parent club, Chase SC. The RYA Start Sailing sessions cost £65 per person, with two follow on Saturday morning sessions at YS@C included in the price. It costs just £5 per week to then carry on sailing at YS@C, which includes the use of kit (boat, wetsuits, spray tops, buoyancy aid etc). Mark Buckingham, Chief Instructor at YS@C, said: "We've just successfully run our first Under 18 RYA Start Sailing sessions. All the kids that did the course have come back sailing with us at YS@C and we hope to see lots more of them in the future too. "For youngsters to stick with sailing and not trade it in for the next fad, it's got to be fun and social. They want to be with their mates so if they are sailing too it's more fun. Kids don't sail to get fit, but once they discover they get better by being fitter it all becomes part of developing an active, healthy lifestyle that happens to come from doing a sport they love." Full details on how to sign up for the RYA Start Sailing Under 18 sessions, and information on all other courses and activities being run at Chase SC this year, can be found at www.chasesc.org.uk or email m.buckingham@btinternet.com

The best sailing video footage by Air Vide et Eau

Point Panic! Rogue wave nearly takes out sailboat in Waikiki Harbor

Solo sailing grandmother nears dry land

A 70-year-old British grandmother is due to sail back in Victoria, British Columbia within several days after spending over 245 days at sea alone. Jeanne Socrates in her 38ft yacht, Nereida, will be officially timed as she passes the Ogden Point breakwater. It will mark the completion if her non-stop single-handed sailing voyage around the globe - a feat undertaken without the use of the boat's engine for propulsion. Nereida departed from Victoria Harbour on 22 October 2012. Jeanne's voyage is being recorded by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. The yacht will be escorted in by a Prince of Whales whale watching boat. After arrival, Nereida will be docked in front of the Empress Hotel, courtesy of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. Third time lucky Jeanne is a remarkable woman who has previously had her hopes of a successful non-stop round the world voyage dashed. She has written a spirited daily journal throughout her quest, in which she describes the many challenges she has had on her voyages (http://svnereida.com/). This is her third attempt; the first attempt resulted in the total loss of her boat, and during the second attempt her vessel was knocked down off Cape Horn and Jeanne was forced to put into port for extensive repairs. Though she completed the circumnavigation, the non-stop challenge eluded her. Jeanne learned to sail when she was in her late 40s. In 1997 she and her husband commissioned the first Nereida and sailed from the UK across the Atlantic. After her husband's death from cancer, Jeanne started a steep learning curve that resulted in her deciding to carry on sailing single-handed. She hopes to raise funds to support the Marie Curie Cancer Foundation by using her sailing to highlight the work it does in providing home care to terminally ill patients. In 2004, Nereida was trucked from Florida to Vancouver. Her remarkable voyages since then (including the loss of the first Nereida) are documented in detail on her website. After her laptop computer was damaged, Jeanne has had radio communications with many HAM operators around the globe who have lately been posting her progress reports received by radio. Ocean Cruising Club Jeanne Socrates, a member of the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC), is following in the path of another OCC member, Victoria resident Tony Gooch , who completed the same nonstop solo round the world sailing voyage in record time in 2003 aboard the sailing vessel Taonui. Tony has acted as mentor to Jeanne. Jeanne is recognized internationally for her sailing achievements, and she is well regarded locally, with friends in Vancouver, Victoria and Port Townsend who have assisted her in many ways and enthusiastically followed her progress toward her goal.

Sailing is for everyone, even the disabled !!!

By Glenn McCarthy I have a good sailing friend who lost two legs in an auto accident 20 years ago. And I have not met anyone who is so upfront and straight forward about how he deals and beats the challenge in everything he does. His forthrightness, and explanations of the prosthetics, the care of the stumps and simply how to get around, has made me comfortable with the subject. I’m an advocate for life jacket wearing, and one day he cornered me and said that double leg amputees don’t like life jackets. “They make us float butt up.” Without the weight of the legs holding the body vertical, he inverts. It is this type of frank talk that helps all of us understand the challenges of a disability. However, you quickly find that this group doesn’t like to be called “disabled,” because they are very able at doing everything. So a few years ago, an effort was made to change the title to “Sailors with Special Needs.” Sailing is a Paralympic sport. Each athlete is assigned points based on their needs and when sailing as a team, the maximum points the team can have is 14 points. You’ll see these sailors taking off an arm or leg prosthesis, leaving them on the dock to get their team down to 14 points. Each person can adjust their “points” based on how able (with prosthetics) or disabled (with one or more prosthetics removed) they are. With the number of injuries in car crashes, veterans coming back after defending our country, this exciting sport awaits them. Convince them to give it a try, most are surprised at how invigorating sailing is and gives them a big boost.

Plain sailing at County Durham boat club

A SAILING club in the North-East held an open day over the weekend to encourage people to take up the sport. Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club welcomed newcomers to the water, near Consett, in County Durham, on Saturday. All ages were able to try out a free sail with safety equipment provided by the club. Susan Tate, 53, from Hedley-on-the-Hill, who runs the club’s galley, and has been sailing for 18 years, said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day. “A lot of people are interested in sailing and that is what we were hoping for.” Two day training courses to teach people how to sail with all equipment provided are available at the club, which is open at weekends and bank holidays, for £125. Wind surfing is also available through the club. For more information log on to drsc.co.uk or call 01434-675033.

Free sailing on offer at Upton Warren

UPTON Warren Sailing Club and Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre are offering free sailing for all of the family this weekend as part of national RYA Push the Boat Out Weekend. Running on Saturday and Sunday (10am to 4pm), the fun-filled weekend is guaranteed to offer something for all the family. There will be the chance to enjoy a first taste of sailing with one of the club’s experienced members and sample the social side of what life at Upton Warren can offer. The tasters are open to everyone aged six and above and regardless of gender or experience. Just bring a change of clothes, soft-soled shoes and waterproofs, the club will supply everything else. RYA ‘Push the Boat Out’ will see sailing clubs and centres across the country inviting local people to come and ‘have a go’ at sailing and windsurfing. The weekend provides the perfect chance for everyone to get out on the water and celebrate a national weekend of sailing. Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre is a recognised RYA Training Centre, meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety. For full details on everything going on at Upton Warren SC, visit www.uwsc.co.uk.

Sailing Club Spotlight " Rutland Sailing Club Open Day"

A sailing club hopes to attract some new members at an open day. Rutland Sailing Club will hold its annual event at the Edith Weston entrance to Rutland Water from 10am on Saturday, June 1. All ages and abilities are welcome to come and try the sport for free. Full details on the open day and the club itself can be found at www.rutlandsc.co.uk

Rough first sailing experience !!!! Sent by a friend

So I purchased my first sailboat this winter (vanguard nomad). I took some sailing lessons the past 3 summers and was very excited to get out on the water. Things, however, did not go well. I have to motor about 1/2 mile with my mast down to get past 2 low bridges. On my first sail I did this without removing the boom. I found out a bit late that this put too much pressure on the gooseneck and sheered the bolts off of it. First sail ended before it really began! I was able to repair the gooseneck on my own. Which I was very proud of because I know that mechanical failures are part of boat ownership and I need to be self sufficient. So now it was time for my second attempt. I made it under the bridges and was getting the sails set up when I realized we were drifting a bit close to shore. No problem I thought I will just start my little 2hp engine and motor away. It refused to start, we drifted into a dock and bumped into a ski boat on boat lift (slight scratches to my boat no damage to said ski boat but I still left a note for the owner). I managed to get off of the boat and pull us over to a vacant dock at which time my son got off and held the boat while I checked the engine and finished rigging. I managed to revive the engine and pull away from the dock. Good to go I thought, I went to drop the kick up rudder and the wire snapped. I didn't realize at the time how important that part can be. Because of the lack of real steering sailing was impossible. I quickly became frustrated and headed for home. I have repaired the rudder, but I am now leery about sailing. I have learned a lot about my boat, but it has caused me lots of stress instead of being the fun and relaxing hobby I hoped it would be. Oh well, I have a few more tries in me before I look for a boat for sail sign. Here's hoping for improving fortunes.

Blind sailors hope for success in Japan

A team of blind sailors will be representing Great Britain at the 2013 International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Blind Sailing World and International Championships in Japan next week. The championships will take place from Seabornia Yacht Club and Riviera Resort in Koajiro Bay from Saturday, May 25. The five-day event allows sailors to race against other sailors with the same level of vision. Blind sailing is split into three sight categories, B1, B2 and B3, B1 being those who are totally blind to B3 sailors who suffer from conditions like tunnel vision and retinitis pigmentosa. Great Britain is sending a whole team, with representation in all three sight categories. Each team, supported by the charity Blind Sailing, is made up of four sailors – two visually impaired and two sighted. The visually impaired sailors helm and work the mainsheet, with the support of a sighted crew and a tactician. The blind sailors use the feel of the wind and the movement of the boat to enable them to sail. Sharon Grennan, a category B1 sailor, said: “Blind Sailing has given me the opportunity to take part in an active and exciting sport with the camaraderie of a group of enthusiastic sailors, who, like me happen to be partially sighted or blind. “I enjoy the competitive buzz of racing too and improving my sailing for the next event always gives me a goal to work towards.” Previous successes of Blind Sailing sailors includes gold at the 2011 IFDS Blind Match Racing Championships, gold at the International Blind Match Racing 2010, and they were world champions at the 2002 World Blind Championship. For more information about Blind Sailing, visit www.blindsailing.net