HRH The Princess Royal was at the PSP Southampton Boat Show today to officially launch disabled yachtsman, Geoff Holt’s latest challenge.
In December, he is setting out to become the first quadraplegic yachtsman to cross the Atlantic, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.
The Princess, as patron to RYA Sailability, was shown around the catamaran Impossible Dream and Geoff, a champion of Sailability, and long time friend of the Royal Southampton, spoke of what lies in store during the 2,700 mile journey across some of the most hostile waters in the world.
Princess Anne has worked with Geoff since 1995 and greatly admires his achievements. In 2007 - he completed his Personal Everest and became the first disabled yachtsman to sail single-handed around Great Britain.
The Princess said: “Personal Everest touched the lives of many people, including those beyond our shores. It has not only inspired a new generation of disabled sailors in this country, it has demonstrated to everyone that disability need not be a barrier to achieving your dream.”
Geoff explains why his Atlantic crossing will be such an emotional voyage, “I’ve been living off the memories. I now want to relive the experience It seems right to sail back to Cane Garden Bay in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands as this is where I had my accident. I feel I will be closing the circle from having my accident. I left there in an ambulance but I plan to return there as a transatlantic quadriplegic sailor and lay some ghosts to rest.”
Geoff hopes that his latest challenge journey will raise awareness of the accomplishments of other disabled sportsmen and women and inspire others to push their own personal boundaries.
Safety will always be a paramount consideration.
Although Geoff is a vastly experienced yachtsman, as a quadriplegic, his only restrictions to sailing the yacht independently are those concerning his personal care. Without help, he cannot get himself into bed, dressed or even into the shower. But, once up and in his wheelchair, he can use his navigational and boat handling skills to sail the yacht, using its high-tech equipment, with complete confidence and competence.
His care will be provided by a highly trained, personal assistant Susana Scott who has specialist skills in caring for those with a high-level disability, like Geoff. She has already had will basic training in boat handling, but maintains she will have no input, either physically or verbally, into the sailing of the vessel.
