Geoff Holt becomes first quadriplegic to cross the Atlantic
by Harriet Courage 7 Jan 2010 19:38 GMT
7 January 2010
Record breaking Geoff Holt arrived in Tortola to become the first quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic © Todd VanSickle / onEdition
Geoff Holt has just arrived in Tortola to become the first quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic. He has sailed the 2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic on a 60ft purpose built catamaran Impossible Dream, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.
It has taken twenty eight days in total from his departure in Lanzarote to the arrival and emotional return to Cane Garden Bay where he will revisit the place of his accident that paralysed him 25 years ago.
This is the fourth time Geoff has sailed the Atlantic, but the first since his life changing accident in 1984 which left him paralysed from the chest down. Diving into shallow water broke his neck causing a complete spinal cord injury and he has used a wheelchair ever since.
Overall, the journey has been far from plain sailing, Geoff was most worried about sleep deprivation but he has faced a mountain of other challenges along the way. Engine problems just three days in meant an essential stop to the Cape Verde Islands and unexpected light prevailing winds made progress frustratingly slow for Geoff. It has also been emotionally straining having to spend Christmas and New Year apart from his Wife Elaine and seven year old Son Timmy.
Geoff Holt explains how he feels as he approaches Tortola “The arrival has been everything I expected and more the welcoming committed has been amazing I am surrounded by the flotilla of boats and yachts that have all come out to meet me. It’s emotional and I have a tear in my eye as I near the finish line.”
Robin Knox Johnson shows his support, “What a tremendous thing to have completed. Geoff continues to raise the bar when it comes to sheer determination to allow nothing to stand in his way is concerned I am so proud of his achievement.”
Geoff’s family and friends have been flown out to meet him in Antigua by British Airways after Geoff was awarded the flights through the BA Great Britons programme.
In 2007, Geoff sailed his way into the record books when he became the first disabled yachtsman to sail single-handed around Great Britain. Geoff hopes that his journey will raise awareness of the accomplishment of other disabled sportsmen and women and inspire others to push their own personal boundaries.