Seaford woman on solo British Isles sail feels 'unstoppable'
Ms Turner said the first few days had been "incredibly brutal", with "insane winds" and "big seas".But she said: "Sailing has this way of, just when you're ready to give up, go back to the marina and back to shore, that's when it pulls out a sunset or the stars."So those have been my highlights."Significant breakages in her first days included dropping a winch handle on and cracking the screen of her chart plotter, which she described as the "brain" of her boat.She's also had leaking windows, water tanks breaking free and soaking everything inside the cabin, and a broken magnetic compass which communicates with the chart plotter.Nevertheless, she said: "The times where it's just me, the boat and the stars above us, it feels like we're in our own little world, totally unstoppable."
Ms Turner was diagnosed with the illness, which causes fainting and seizures, when she was 18.Due to complications, doctors have told her that her condition is now terminal.The journey on her boat – named Fear! - will raise money for Sailability, a charity that enables people with disabilities or who come from a difficult background to get into sailing.
'Sailing further from loved ones'
Though she has been building up to the sail for eight months, she said in some ways the journey still did not feel real yet."I still feel like I'm going to turn around and head back to Brighton marina at any point," she said."The main difference is I guess I miss people more, knowing each sail, each mile takes me further away from those I love. It's hard at times."Ms Turner said she had not expected the amount of support from those who have been tracking her sail and sending her messages."It's been a hard start and knowing I've got all that support has been invaluable and has carried me through each of the crappy times when a wave has soaked me again," she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Trainer Bill Turner dies aged 78
Turner, who was based in Sigwells in Somerset, was a former jockey and as a trainer became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times. He had been in a serious condition in hospital after reportedly fracturing his skull in a fall on Monday and his daughter, Kathy, announced his death on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at Chepstow racecourse, she told Sky Sports Racing: 'Dad passed away about an hour and a half ago. 'We got the call in the lorry, I'd made the decision to come here, the horse (Red Snapper) was to run in dad's name in his honour, whatever had happened he would have wanted that. 'He slipped away this morning. The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding. I've tried to reply to as many people as I could, but I am so sorry if I haven't replied to you or someone else. The love that man had was absolute. 'He wasn't just my dad and my sister's dad and Ryan's grandfather, he was everyone's dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad. 'He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident. 'I still can't get round that this injury has done this to him, as I've pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops. Only last Sunday he was re-felting my sister's salon roof.' Mick's Yer Man was Turner's last Brocklesby winner in 2013 and that victory held special significance. Kathy Turner added: 'His best ever moment was when Ryan (While, grandson) won the Brocklesby on Mick's Yer Man.' In a statement British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said: 'Everybody at the BHA is deeply saddened by the news of Bill Turner's death. My thoughts, along with my colleagues at the BHA and everyone involved in the sport, are with Bill's family and friends, as well as everyone who works at the yard. 'Bill was a wonderful stalwart of our sport. He poured his heart and soul into racing, both as a jockey and then a trainer, and we will particularly miss his annual runner in the Brocklesby Stakes, which he won an impressive six times. 'We will do everything we can to support the yard during this incredibly challenging period.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Legendary trainer killed by horse as daughter makes TV announcement 90 minutes after death
Legendary trainer killed by horse as daughter makes TV announcement 90 minutes after death His daughter confirmed the tragic news at Chepstow racecourse after the 'freak' accident Turner is fighting for his life in hospital Legendary racehorse trainer Bill Turner has died aged 78 following a serious accident at his Somerset yard earlier this week. Turner, a former jockey based in Sigwells, was renowned for his remarkable record in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Flat turf season, which he won six times. He had been in hospital in a critical condition after reportedly fracturing his skull in a fall on Monday, when he was struck by a horse. His daughter, Kathy, confirmed his death on Thursday afternoon while speaking to Sky Sports Racing from Chepstow Racecourse, where one of his runners, Red Snapper, was competing in his honour. 'Dad passed away about an hour and a half ago,' she said. 'The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding. "I've tried to reply to as many people as I could, but I am so sorry if I haven't replied. Article continues below "The love that man had was absolute. 'He wasn't just my dad and my sister's dad and Ryan's grandfather, he was everyone's dad. "The people he helped in their careers saw him as a father figure. "He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops, but unfortunately it was a freak accident.' Turner's most recent Brocklesby win came in 2013 with Mick's Yer Man, ridden by his grandson Ryan While — a victory Kathy described as her father's proudest moment. 'I still can't get my head around this injury doing this to him,' she added. Article continues below 'I've pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops before. "Only last Sunday he was re-felting my sister's salon roof.' Turner's career spanned decades, producing countless winners and earning a reputation as one of racing's great characters.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Horse trainer and jockey Bill Turner dies after 'freak accident'
Former jockey Bill Turner has died at the age of 78 following a "freak accident" earlier this week, his daughter has announced. Turner, who was based in Sigwells in Somerset, reportedly fractured his skull in a fall on Monday. He was hospitalised but died horse trainer became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times."The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding," his daughter Kathy Turner said. Ms Turner was told of her father's death while travelling to Chepstow told Sky Sports Racing: "We got the call in the lorry, I'd made the decision to come here, the horse [Red Snapper] was to run in dad's name in his honour, whatever had happened he would have wanted that."He wasn't just my dad and my sister's dad and Ryan's grandfather, he was everyone's dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad."He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident."I still can't get round that this injury has done this to him, as I've pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops.""Only last Sunday he was re-felting my sister's salon roof," she added.
