Hilary Lister sails solo around Britain

01 September 2009

Yesterday Hilary Lister arrived in Dover Marina becoming the first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain. In a series of day sails starting from Dover in June 2008 and restarting from Plymouth on the 21st May 2009. Hilary sailed clockwise along the coasts of Cornwall, Wales, The East Coast of Ireland, Scotland, The Caledonian Canal, The East Coast of England and home to the finish line in Dover. Hilary Lister, 37, was applauded as she sailed into Dover Marina.

On arrival, she declared: "I'm so relieved to be home but looking forward to the next challenge."

Mrs Lister, an Oxford biochemistry graduate from Faversham, is disabled from the neck down. Her specially-adapted vessel, an Artemis 20 called Me Too, was designed to be operated through three "straws".

They allowed her to control the boat using a "sip-and-puff" system. Mrs Lister said she was "hugely proud" of the six strong team who provided back-up throughout her series of 40 day-long sails.

The challenge has so far raised £30,000 for Mrs Lister's charity, Hilary's Dream Trust, which exists to provide assistance to disabled and disadvantaged adults who want to sail.