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Isle Of Wight's Natasha Is First Female Quadriplegic Skipper To Finish Atlantic Challenge

Natasha Lambert

An Isle of Wight sailor, who uses her breath to sail her boat, has completed her challenge to cross the Atlantic this morning (Friday).

Natasha Lambert is the first and youngest female quadriplegic skipper to cross the Atlantic using the only boat to be adapted to use the sip puff technology developed for this purpose.

She crossed the finish line at 10:39 hrs after 18 days, 21 hours and 39 min sailing, and covering 2808 Nm.

Helmed by Natasha Lambert and her crew, Blown Away (her specially adapted boat) has now crossed from the Canaries to St Lucia, a 2700nm journey (as the crow flies.) Natasha, an award-winning sailor renowned for challenging her own ability has now added ‘conquering the Atlantic Ocean’ to her resume.

Living with Quadriplegic Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, Natasha has difficulty using her arms and legs, making sailing a little more challenging, but this award-winning young sailor does not let that stop her!

Utilising her ‘Sip-Puff’ system, designed and installed to her specially adapted boat (Blown Away) by her dad Gary, Natasha is able to sail using her breath.

Natasha, also known locally as ‘MissIsle’ (named after her first boat) took part in this year’s ARC Rally; the latest in a long series of challenges with the sole aim of raising money for three charities close to her heart. Raising money for her local RNLI station in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (EMC Trust) and a charity that Natasha ambassadors, the Missile School of Sip and Puff Sailing. 

 Mandy Lambert, Natasha’s Mum said:

“Thank you to all the kind donations from businesses and individuals who have helped us toward our fundraising goal.”

Now, Natasha and her family plan to stay in the Caribbean for some time, visiting local communities and schools with the aim of teaching them how to use the Sip-Puff technology.

Stay up to date with their progress by following their Facebook Page

You can still donate by going to Natasha's website www.missisle.com 

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