On Tuesday, August 23rd, 2005, Hilary Lister became the first quadriplegic to sail, single-handed, across the English Channel. She sailed into the record books in 6h 13min and the story hit the frontpages of newspapers worldwide. It has been in the press almost non-stop ever since.
The next challenge Hilary has set herself is to sail around the British Isles, which she plans to do in the summer of 2007. This will involve venturing both into the North Sea and the Atlantic. It's going to be an exciting ride! It will require a boat that is being built around her needs by Darren Newton, the Managing Director of Multimarine. One of Hilary's first requirements was that the boat should be a "do anything, go anywhere" boat. The British Isles is only the beginning of my dreams. She wants to be able to make transatlantic crossings, perhaps even take part in races like the Fastnet. "I want to push the boundaries to see how far I can go".
"Currently, no boat exists that can be actively sailed by a quadriplegic", she says. "If you do not have the use of your arms, the best you can achieve is sailing the boat whilst it is flat, but you cannot raise or lower sails or do any of the other more physical jobs onboard. This boat will allow anyone, with any degree of disability -- right the way up to people who can move as little as I can, to sail single-handed. It is a continuation of my dream to get more disabled people sailing, rather than to take more disabled people sailing."
Hilary is actively looking for sponsors to help with this next project, which she believes will leave a legacy for disabled people for years to come.
Hilary has a progressive neurological disorder which has left her only able to move her head. She spends all the time when she is not sailing either in a wheelchair, or in bed. In addition, She is in constant pain which requires large doses of morphine just to get out of bed in the morning.
Hilary aims to:
- Raise money so that other disabled people can experience the thrill of sailing
- Show that disabled people can live exciting and challenging lives
- Challenge people to rethink their views on disability
- Encourage everyone to live their dreams
Hilary was lucky to be enough to have been introduced to sailing in 2003. She was immediately hooked. In 2004 she began to dream of crossing the English Channel single-handed and, on August 23rd, she achieved her dream. She is a woman who enjoys making things happen, and wants to help others achieve their dreams. To this end she is still fundraising, so please feel free to make a donation either online, or by contacting Hilary directly.
Awards and Nominations:
- On Wednesday, 16th November, Hilary was privileged to receive the "Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration" as part of the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards.
- Made a UK Sailing Academy Ambassador
- The Royal Cruising Club's Seamanship Award, 2005.
- Woman of the Year, 2005, in "New Woman" Magazine
- Nominated for a Morgan Stanley/Telegraph "Great Briton '05" Award
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