One month until Hilary Lister sets off solo around Britain

Record breaking quadriplegic woman one month away from start of Solo Sail Around Britain

Final preparations are being made by Hilary Lister, 37, who will re-start her “Round Britain Dream”, in which she aims to become the first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain. Hilary will set sail from Plymouth between 18th-22nd May (weather dependent). During the “Round Britain Dream” Hilary also aims to become the first disabled sailor to make a solo crossing of the Irish Sea. Hilary first came to prominence when, in 2005, she became the first disabled sailor to cross the English Channel, single-handed. In 2007 she became the first disabled woman to sail solo around the Isle of Wight.

Hilary’s Boat “Me Too” will be launched in Dover on the 22nd April, the Safety Boat and Land Support crew are all in place and will begin training in Dover on May 1st. Hilary said about her “Round Britain Dream”: “I’m incredibly privileged to get a second chance to fulfil my dream. We have a fantastic team and I can’t wait to get started. We will be raising money and awareness of disabled sailing right around the UK.”

Hilary’s “Round Britain Dream” is still looking to attract sponsors for the completion of this record breaking attempt. In addition to becoming part of a truly inspirational project, sponsors will achieve sustained international, national and regional media coverage during and after the sail. In 2008 the “Round Britain Dream” generated publicity and continues to do so to this day from across the world, including that listed at the end of this release.

About Hilary

An extremely active youngster, Hilary suddenly found herself wheelchair-bound at the age of 15, due to a progressive neurological disorder. This would gradually lead to the loss of the use of her body from the neck down, whilst leaving her in constant pain. Despite everything, she continued her education, earning a 2.1 in Biochemistry from Oxford University in 1995 and went on to study for her PhD. She finally lost the use of her arms and hands in 1998, aged 27. In late September 2003 Hilary was taken sailing on a local lake by a friend. She credits sailing with saving her life. “Sailing came along when life didn’t seem worth living any more. Within seconds of being on the water a light switched back on inside me. I knew that I had found what I was going to do with the rest of my life”.

Hilary’s dream of sailing around Britain began on 16 June 2008, when she set off from Dover, supported by her team of 4 support boat crew and 3 land crew. The Lions clubs of The British Isles and Ireland also lent their considerable support. In a series of “day sails”, some in excess of 50 nautical miles, Hilary sailed the entire length of the South Coast. In Newlyn, on 13 August, due to hold ups caused mainly by the consistently poor weather, Hilary and the team reluctantly decided to postpone the rest of the journey. To date this is the furthest that any female disabled sailor has sailed and is an amazing achievement in itself. This is the first time that the ‘Sip and puff’ system had been tested in such challenging conditions. Despite the setback of having to halt the attempt Hilary demonstrated her amazing strength of character by resolving to complete the sail starting in spring 2009, beginning at Plymouth.

Hilary’s Boat “Me Too” is an Artemis 20; a 6m carbon fibre keelboat, designed by Rogers Yacht Design under commission by Chichester based VizualMarine. Hilary controls the boat using a ‘Sip and Puff’ system, developed by Steve Alvey of Calgary, Canada. The system uses three straws which are connected to sensitive pressure switches. The computer is mounted in front of Hilary. A gentle "sip" on one straw will cause the boat to go to starboard, whilst a "puff" will take the boat to port. The second straw controls the winch motor for both sails in a similar fashion. The third straw allows Hilary to control her Raymarine autopilot, to trim one sail relative to the other and raise or lower the height of the boom.

The aims of Hilary’s “Round Britain Dream” are not only record breaking, but to raise funds for, and awareness of, Hilary’s charity; “Hilary’s Dream Trust” (Registered charity no.: 1124146), which exists to facilitate adults with disabilities or in financial hardship to reach their sailing own dreams.

Acknowledgements

Hilary and the RBD would like to thank Launch partners Pindar and Artemis investment management, KCC Sports development unit and also the following sponsors; Raymarine, Musto, Marathon leisure, Alphagraphics, Port of Dover and The Lions clubs of the British Isles and Ireland.

A Selection Of Media Coverage To Date

Television news: items on BBC news, BBC South East Today, BBC ‘The One Show’ ITN news, ITV Westcountry, ITV Meridian News

Press articles: The Independent (17 June 2008, 9 August 2008, 30 March 2009) The Sunday Telegraph (22 June 2008) Daily Mail, Daily Express, (May 2008) The Scotsman (June 2008), Corriere Della Sera (Italy) Mumbai Mirror. Net articles on Xinhuanet (China), Globo.com (Brasil) BBC news website.

Radio: bulletins and regular interviews on BBC Radio Five Live's "Drive" afternoon show. National Public Radio’s "All Things Considered", interviewed Hilary on 18 June 2008 (The show is heard on 650 stations in the United States, and in over 100 countries.).

Public talks: at various events, such as yacht club’s “Laying Up Suppers”.