This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/8405295.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Quadriplegic sailor begins voyage | Quadriplegic sailor begins voyage |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A yachtsman hoping to become the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the Atlantic has set off on his voyage. | A yachtsman hoping to become the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the Atlantic has set off on his voyage. |
| Geoff Holt, 42, will travel 2,700 miles (4345km) from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. | |
| He will be returning to Garden Bay in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, where he suffered a diving accident that paralysed him. | He will be returning to Garden Bay in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, where he suffered a diving accident that paralysed him. |
| Mr Holt, from Southampton, said he hopes the journey will help him "lay some ghosts to rest". | Mr Holt, from Southampton, said he hopes the journey will help him "lay some ghosts to rest". |
| He is already the first quadriplegic sailor to sail around Britain and will be accompanied by a carer and a cameraman on board his boat, called Impossible Dream. | He is already the first quadriplegic sailor to sail around Britain and will be accompanied by a carer and a cameraman on board his boat, called Impossible Dream. |
| However, he will do all his own sailing on board the specially-equipped boat. | However, he will do all his own sailing on board the specially-equipped boat. |
| 'Emotional journey' | 'Emotional journey' |
| Mr Holt, who only has limited use of his arms and hands, will use hydraulic push button technology to sail the 60ft (18m) catamaran for the 17 days it is expected to complete the voyage. | |
| He said it seemed "right" to sail back to where he had his accident. | He said it seemed "right" to sail back to where he had his accident. |
| "I feel I will be closing the circle from having my accident," he said. | "I feel I will be closing the circle from having my accident," he said. |
| Geoff Holt: "It's the next chapter of my life" | Geoff Holt: "It's the next chapter of my life" |
| "I left there in an ambulance but I plan to return there as a transatlantic quadriplegic sailor and lay some ghosts to rest." | "I left there in an ambulance but I plan to return there as a transatlantic quadriplegic sailor and lay some ghosts to rest." |
| Just before he set off, he told reporters: "(I'm) feeling really excited now and can't wait to reach open water. | Just before he set off, he told reporters: "(I'm) feeling really excited now and can't wait to reach open water. |
| "I have said my goodbyes to my wife and son. It will be tough being away from them at Christmas but being reunited with them will keep me going across the 2,700 miles that lie ahead of us." | "I have said my goodbyes to my wife and son. It will be tough being away from them at Christmas but being reunited with them will keep me going across the 2,700 miles that lie ahead of us." |
| Mr Holt's only restrictions to sailing the yacht independently are those concerning his personal care. | Mr Holt's 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. | Without help, he cannot get himself into bed, dressed or even into the shower. |
| Geoff is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met Dame Ellen MacArthur | Geoff is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met Dame Ellen MacArthur |
| But, once up and in his wheelchair, he can use his navigational and boat handling skills to sail the yacht, using the high-tech equipment. | But, once up and in his wheelchair, he can use his navigational and boat handling skills to sail the yacht, using the high-tech equipment. |
| Mr Holt's care will be provided by his personal assistant, Susana Scott, 28, who is originally from New Zealand. | Mr Holt's care will be provided by his personal assistant, Susana Scott, 28, who is originally from New Zealand. |
| Record-breaking yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, from the Isle of Wight, gave her support to the challenge. | Record-breaking yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, from the Isle of Wight, gave her support to the challenge. |
| She said: "Geoff is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. | She said: "Geoff is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. |
| "Not only has he already achieved the unachievable, but he is humble with it. | "Not only has he already achieved the unachievable, but he is humble with it. |
| "I think few will understand just how important this challenge is to Geoff - perhaps in a way it is unfinished business." | "I think few will understand just how important this challenge is to Geoff - perhaps in a way it is unfinished business." |