Disabled sailor completes voyage

Geoff Holt is the first disabled person to sail around Britain

A quadriplegic sailor has completed his solo voyage around the British coast after 109 days.

Geoff Holt, 41, from Shedfield, Hampshire, suffered "frustrating" light winds but glorious sunshine in the final minutes of his journey.

He is believed to be the first disabled sailor to make the 1,400 mile (2,253 km) voyage around Britain alone.

Mr Holt arrived back his starting point at Southampton Water at about 1100 BST on Wednesday.

The journey, which started on 20 May and was scheduled to take 60 days, was hampered by weather conditions.

It has been a great experience - tough and challenging, but unforgettable Geoff Holt

After finishing he said: "It's fantastic to know that I have achieved my dream.

"I have always wanted to sail around Great Britain and I cannot believe that I have done it."

A flotilla of more than 30 boats followed Mr Holt into Southampton Water, where he was welcomed by hundreds of supporters.

Mr Holt was paralysed from the chest down in a swimming accident when he was 18 and has a specially adapted boat - a trimaran called Freethinker.

The start of the trip was delayed just minutes into the voyage when the yacht capsized and Mr Holt was left face down in the water.

He was rescued by his support boat, which has followed him throughout the challenge.

A few days later Mr Holt set off again and the trip passed off without major incident, except for being frequently confined to port during bad weather.

'Frustrating' conditions

Due to his disability, Mr Holt had to stay on land every night and he was supported by his wife, Elaine, and five-year-old son, Timothy, who have followed him throughout the voyage.

"It was very frustrating for us all waiting in ports for the next weather window," said Mr Holt.

"We were in Brixham for over a week and in Abersoch for 21 days and just itching to get sailing again.

"But it has been a great experience - tough and challenging, but unforgettable.

"My team have been wonderful - I couldn't have done it without them.

"Having my wife, Elaine and son, Timmy as part of the team made it even more enjoyable."