ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

Atlantic Challenge preparations for the ARC, which departs on 22 November. SUPPORTING CHARITIES Natasha is passionate about her charity, This year, during the worldwide pandemic, there have been knowing when and if plans could go ahead, it has been a very difficult year in many ways. In spite of this, on 1 August, Natasha and the crew set sail from Cowes en route to The Canary Islands. It was a passage of 2,000 miles, during which Natasha and her crew The Straights of Gibraltar, various unlit the MissIsle School of Sip Puff Sailing, Natasha is a young lady who has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, so everyday life which encourages other disabled individuals to broaden their horizons, as is always full of challenges. Natasha never lets this get her down and is always positive and looking for ways to enjoy her life and live it to its fullest. This latest well as helping and working with two other charities, The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and the RNLI. Natasha is sailing challenge, though, is Natasha’s most ambitious to date. using this expedition as a platform to help raise vital funds for these charities. Follow Natasha’s adventure this using her sip-puff technique, sailing and instead they sailed to Gibraltar to raise £30,000 to share equally between by breath. There is also an integrated ensure compliance with regulations. the three charities. Visit Natasha’s communication system that she can On 29 August, Natasha and the crew website, www.missisle.com, and click on use to operate the chartplotters, route on board Blown Away arrived safely in the Virgin Money giving link. planning software and so on. Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, where the The work on the 46ft cat also boat is currently berthed ahead of the included adaptations to accommodate planned departure for St Lucia at the The ARC is a ‘must do’ for many Natasha being able to live aboard end of November. The boat was cleaned sailors, and attracts more than for four weeks by, for example, the down and the crew flew back to UK, 200 boats and 1,200 people every fitting of a ceiling mounted hoist whilst the family enjoyed a couple of year to sail 2,700nm across the track throughout the owner’s days relaxing before heading home. Atlantic from Gran Canaria to cabin, saloon and cockpit area. The team are flying back to Gran Saint Lucia. Canaria early this month to re- www.worldcruising.com CHANGE OF PLAN join Blown Away and do the final many new hurdles to face. Work on the boat was halted “The unique system allows Natasha full control of in March until the end of the helm, traveller and sheets, using her sip-puff May. With all the uncertainty of what the future held, not technique, sailing by breath.”

Natasha and her family, including dad Gary who designed a system to enable Natasha to sail encountered various sailing conditions from fog in The English Channel to thunderstorms in The Bay of Biscay. There were also 30 knot winds off Cape Finisterre, pods of dolphins in winter on social media. The aim is to

NATASHA’S previous half a Ireland and the logistics of moving a fishing boats and Atlantic swells. dozen sailing projects have crew around the country. However, they Allowing all the systems on board all laid the foundations have all set Natasha in good stead for to be tested included an unexpected for the current endeavour, this next step, an Atlantic Crossing. bonus of Natasha’s treadmill (fitted the Atlantic Rally for The last two years have seen to help Natasha keep fit and exercise Cruisers (ARC). The earlier adventures Natasha’s dad, Gary, working extensively during the passage) doubling up to have provided many and varied on creating a robust system to allow allow Natasha to helm from a standing challenges, from crossing the Channel Natasha to control and sail a Nautitech position in the cockpit. and negotiating busy shipping lanes to Open 46 catamaran called Blown Away. Due to the many Covid restrictions dealing with swells off Land’s End, the The unique system allows Natasha full it was not possible to undertake a changing weather off the East coast of control of the helm, traveller and sheets, crew change in Portugal as hoped This is just the latest in a number of challenges Natasha has taken on for charity

Natasha’s cat, Blown Away, has been modified in readiness for Natasha to take on the ARC

Natasha uses a sip-puff technique, sailing by breath