Geoff eyes up Atlantic challenge
Disabled sailor Geoff Holt has told how he wants to 'lay some ghosts to rest' during his solo voyage across the Atlantic.
The 43-year-old from Shedfield, near Fareham, is set to return to the scene of the accident where he was paralysed 25 years ago.
Today, as Princess Anne officially launched his challenge, Geoff explained how he is looking forward to returning to Cane Garden Bay in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, which changed his life.
'I've been living off the memories,' said Geoff. 'I now want to relive the experience.
'It seems right to sail back to Tortola 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, who has already sailed round Britain, said he was delighted to have Princess Anne's support for the new challenge ahead, and is hoping the royal publicity will secure a final sponsor.
'It's a great honour to have Princess Anne's support,' he said. 'I'm hoping her presence will help raise the profile of the challenge and in doing so get more disabled people to think about sailing.
'I'm also hoping her being here will help attract some potential sponsors. I'm still looking for one more and this event and the royal launch could help secure it.'
Geoff's 2,700-mile sailing challenge, which begins in December, will see him become the first quadriplegic yachtsman to cross the Atlantic.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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