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Disabled sailor to finish voyage | Disabled sailor to finish voyage |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A yachtsman hoping to become the first quadriplegic sailor cross the Atlantic is due to finish later. | |
Geoff Holt, 42, from Southampton, began the 2,700-mile (4345km) voyage from Lanzarote to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, on 10 December. | Geoff Holt, 42, from Southampton, began the 2,700-mile (4345km) voyage from Lanzarote to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, on 10 December. |
The sailor has battled light winds and mechanical problems aboard his boat, Impossible Dream, during the voyage. | The sailor has battled light winds and mechanical problems aboard his boat, Impossible Dream, during the voyage. |
As he crosses the line, Mr Holt will be near the site of a diving accident that left him paralysed him 25 years ago. | |
During the voyage he has been aided by a carer and filmed by a cameraman, but did all his own sailing in the 60ft (18m) purpose-built catamaran. | During the voyage he has been aided by a carer and filmed by a cameraman, but did all his own sailing in the 60ft (18m) purpose-built catamaran. |
Hydraulic technology | Hydraulic technology |
He is expected to arrive at Cane Garden Bay, off Tortola island - where the accident happened - at about 1600 GMT. | He is expected to arrive at Cane Garden Bay, off Tortola island - where the accident happened - at about 1600 GMT. |
This is the fourth time Mr Holt has sailed the Atlantic, but the first since his life-changing accident in 1984. | |
He broke his neck while diving into shallow water and has used a wheelchair ever since. | |
And any tears will be tears of joy not tears of regret or sadness Geoff Holt | |
During his record attempt, Mr Holt has had to overcome engine problems and unexpectedly light prevailing winds. | During his record attempt, Mr Holt has had to overcome engine problems and unexpectedly light prevailing winds. |
He has limited use of his arms and hands and used a hydraulic push button technology to sail the vessel on the 28-day voyage. | |
His wife Elaine and seven-year-old son Timmy will be joined by family and friends, who will be at the finishing line to meet him. | |
Writing on his blog earlier, Mr Holt said: "I want my arrival to be a celebration of the past 25 years not, as someone asked recently, "will it give you closure"? | |
"What? Closure? That infers I somehow regret or lament the past 25 years. Absolutely not. | |
"Were it not for the accident, I would not have met Elaine, had Timothy or had such a wonderful life so, closure? No. Celebration? Yes. | |
"And any tears will be tears of joy not tears of regret or sadness." | |
Mr Holt is already the first quadriplegic sailor to sail solo around Britain - a feat he achieved in 2007. | Mr Holt is already the first quadriplegic sailor to sail solo around Britain - a feat he achieved in 2007. |