Quadriplegic Sailor Hilary Lister at WPNSA
Quadriplegic Sailor Hilary Lister, who is currently undertaking a 'Round Britain Dream' solo sail in her specially adapted Artemis 20, is currently making a stop-over at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), the 2012 Olympic sailing venue.
'Hilary Lister currently undertaking a 'Round Britain Dream''
Mark Lloyd ©
Hilary, who is only able to move her head, entered the record books on 23 August 2005 when she sailed solo across the English Channel by using a 'sip and puff' system of straws to control the sails and tiller.
36 year-old Hilary stopped off, along with her support team and crew, to enjoy the Academy's world class facilities.
WPNSA, venue for the 2012 Olympic sailing events, is set on the stunning Jurassic Coast, the only World Heritage Site on the UK mainland. WPNSA boasts excellent facilities for disabled users.
The building exceeds the standards required by the Disability Discrimination Act and, with the disabled access hoists on the pontoons, provides some of the safest access to tidal waters for people with disabilities anywhere in the UK.
In addition, WPNSA's onsite sailing school. SailLaser, has formed strong links with the disabled charity Sailability, with trained staff available to deliver these courses.
Hilary comments,
'When you live in a wheelchair or bed 24 hours a day, being in a sail boat is like flying. You have a freedom on water you don't have anywhere, well I don't. It's hard to explain what it's like being stuck in a wheelchair. On the water, I'm the boss. As well as steering, I can chose to sail flat, or go faster. It's wonderful to have choice again. I am enjoying my time at the 2012 sailing venue and meeting the team here.'
Mark Stubbings, Chief Executive of WPNSA, commented, 'Hilary is a truly inspirational individual; what she has achieved so far has been fantastic and we wish her the best of luck in her latest venture. We are all very excited about hosting Hilary at the Academy.'
About Hilary Lister
Able only to move her head, eyes and mouth, Hilary sails using a sip and puff device which allows her to control the sails and tiller with just her breath. She will sail in her state of the art sailing boat, the Artemis 20 - a 20 foot (6m) sailing boat - in a series of day sails. She will be accompanied on the water by a support RIB at all times, and a motor entourage of two motorhomes and a Land Rover (with winch and hoist) will provide land support. Her team will comprise 4 'wet crew' and 3 'shore' crew.
Each day the team will record Hilary's finishing latitude and longitude from her GPS, so they can tow Hilary back to exactly the same point the next sailing day. Hilary is anticipating the sail will take 3-4 months. It will involve venturing both into the Irish Sea and the North Sea, as well as the English Channel. Hilary's route will take her through the Caledonian Canal.
Follow Hilary's progress, send her messages of support, or make donations to her charity, Hilary's Dream Trust, log on at www.hilarylister.com
by PR 
