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My story so far

Growing up on the East Coast sailing has been my life since I was seven years old. I started racing to a good standard when I was 11, sailing Toppers, then progressing to Lasers, catamarans and skiffs.

I’ve had the Olympic dream since I was young but it was difficult to find sources of information and support. I discovered that a distant cousin from part of our family that moved to Australia was a Paralympic medalist. He subsequently went on to compete in 5 Paralympics culminating in a Gold medal at Rio. It inspired me.

I kept pursuing my sailing ambitions but it was a very different struggle for me to climb to a position where I can build a campaign. I didn’t think it was possible the level of support would be available to someone like me, after all I come from a different faction of the family and could never fund such a campaign alone.

All was Lost

Naturally sailing had taken me onto the water onboard vessels small and large and I often took on work skippering yachts in races and delivering them to and from.

It was on one such delivery that my life was changed irreversibly; forever.

Heading for harbour on the 5th of February 2011 our yacht was struck by a rogue and breaking wave. Approximately 10-12 metres, the wave capsized our yacht a full 360 degrees. The tragedy took the lives of childhood buddy Glenn Foster and sailing friend Chris Hull. I was separated from the yacht, alone and uncertain what to do, I managed to swim to shore. I was the only survivor. I can only tell you that all survivors feel a tremendous amount of guilt and pain, regardless of circumstance, blame or whether they did all they could do.

As a tribute to my friends and with this unbelievable sense of guilt, I felt the need to do something crazy. Something that would feel worthwhile, whilst also proving to the world my ability.

Sailing Around Britain

In 2012 I sailed my modified F18 catamaran around Britain including the northern coast of Scotland. I did this unaided and without the use of paddles or an engine. The project also had a number of challenges but was entirely successful. I am now only person to singlehandedly sailed around the country, unaided, including the north of Scotland, on a dinghy or beach catamaran. For approximately 2000 nautical miles with sailing winds from 0-35 knots I kept the boat going. I never once capsized.

Following the loss of my friends and with the completion of the Round Britain Project I didn’t know what to do. I lost my sense of purpose and never attempted the full time sailing campaign I had always dreamed. Its fair to say I lost my self worth.

Never Give Up

Over the past few years I’ve been racing yachts. More and more people have seen me sail the amount of support has been overwhelming.

They say time is a healer and having come to terms with the past, I value the support of those people that now wish to see me progress. I have regrouped, regained my strength.

Your Help

With your help and support I would like to take the opportunity to see how far I could have gone. Enabling me to train full time,

I wish to make up for my lost years from the racing circuit.

With your help

I will be the best I can be!

I will take every set back as a step closer along the pathway to success! I won’t give up and I will succeed.

The Plan – Year 1

Through the good grace of Allen Burrel, Olympic Finn guru and veteran, I currently have access to one of Giles Scott’s previous boats that Al has owned for several months. Allen is taking some time out having just returned from competing in the Finn masters World Chamionship.

My plan is to purchase an Olympic Finn with mast and sail so I can create an intensive training program.

From this moment, I will take the campaign forward full time. A strict weekday training program will commence whilst travelling to compete in Finn regattas at the weekend.

Over winter I plan to keep up my full time program of sailing when it is safe to do so, ensuring that I am in peak fitness and well-practiced going into the 2018 racing season.

In 2018 I will attend all possible events in the British Finn association calendar. I attend to gain selection into the World class Program based upon 2018 results at national European and worldwide events.

Personal Achievements

Represent team GB Commodores Cup 2016 LA Reponse (First British boat)

1st Round the Island Race F40 class 2016

2nd Cowes week 2016

1st in 10 corporate regattas 2016

Helm tactics and trim on La Reponse

Co-Skippered ARC crossing 2015

1st RORC overall Tonnerre 51 2015

Podium placed at 10 corporate regattas 2015

Coached candidate to RYA Yachtmaster of the year 2014

La Reponse campaign incl. Fastnet/ Middle Sea

1st Voiles des st Tropez

1st RORC Channel Race

3rd North Sea Race Ker 40

Solo circumnavigation of Britain on F18 dinghy/catamaran

5th Cherbourg Race 2012

Competed in Artemis Selection trials top 3

3rd Little Britain skipper 2011

5th in class RTI 2011

3rdManches Cup 2011

1st Little Britain as skipper 2010

2ndHamble Winter Series Xtreme 25 2009

2nd Little Britain Race J109 2009

1st JP Cup Winners Round the Island 2009

2nd Alderney Race Jog J105 (Helm) 2009

1st Alexandra Yacht Club 1878 Race (Contender) 2008

1st EMG construction regatta, 40.7s 2008

2nd Profile Cup 2008

1st Think Regatta, First class 8s 2008

1st PPP PFI Regatta 2008

2nd as helm in Hurricane 5.9 SX TT 2007

1st Hurricane Texel Round Island Race 2007

3rd Tornado Class, Fast Boat Race 2007

1st Tornado Class, Fast Boat Practice Race 2007

Crewed, Hurricane 5.9 SX European Championships 2007

1st Estuary Race 2006 (RS 600) 2007

5th Dart 16 Nationals 2003

1st in class, Nore Race 2002 – 2006

Dart 16 TT National Champions 2002

1st Thames Estuary Race 2002

2nd Dart 16 nationals 2002

Crewed, Dart 18 World Championships 2002

3rd , Youth Laser Radial Open 2001

2nd Interclub Topper Regatta 2001

Commodores Cup 2016 LA Reponse (First British boat)

1st RTI F40 class 2016