I did it - its finished ! and we did way better than expected !
I was expecting us to race in the last third of the fleet around 110th or something but we managed to come in at 45th !!!!!
It was very windy - thunder and lightening to boot but it was good and I enjoyed it too. I was going to count up all my bruises but I got to 30 on one leg and gave up ! but they are healing quickly as are my poor rope burnt fingers.

We managed to capsize only once and it wasn't during a race! wind came up by surprise and we managed to lose all the sunglasses and hats in the commotion.

There is still time to show your support before the just giving site closes, If its done through the site then all the tax comes back at no extra cost to you. But you can donate any other way through me or direct through the DRT.

thank you to all of you who helped and donated. And if any of you do get the chance to go sailing you should I just hope it isn't another 10 years before I go again.

Many thanks
Anna x


I'm just adding a little note for anyone who's keeping track. I'm here! 3 days in and today we have been rained off - not that they usually stop for rain but they deemed it unsafe as a huge storm is pounding overhead and thunder and lightening  are everywhere - we had a little lightening yesterday and the topic kept coming up over whether or not we would be hit - needless to say we're still all in one piece.

So far - we have had one kapsize  out friend lost a hull in a collision - we have sailed in the boiling hot and even in the thunder and lightening so its been three very eventful days :) we had one hair raising moment screaming in on port to the finnish line at about 30 knots on trapeeze (for the non-nortical this means very fast when we have to give way to everyone and anyone which would be desasterous) but we overtook three boats!   but most surprisingly we are doing way better than we imagined, we seem to be staying top 50! I'm finally starting to remember which ropes to pull when so we might even start to do better.

I'm hoping for some better weather so I don't have to keep sitting around in a dry suit :)   thankyou all again
Anna x




  In the last week of August I am travelling to compete in the Dart 18 world championships. The Dart 18 is a catamaran that sails at 20 knots per hour (35 km/h) with alot of spray from the water. The crew (that’s me!) attaches themselves by harness to a rope from the top of the mast and stands tentatively on the edge of the boat to balance the wind. Still the boat tilts hugely and capsizing and nose-diving are very real occurrences.

I am a relatively experienced sailor however fairly new to Darts and the whole harness thing. Please help me raise money for the DRT who have supported me, as a dyslexic and as a researcher, by facing the fear and competing in the world championships. I have been in training since Christmas although being based in I have been focusing on fitness and will have only limited training on the actual boat. There are 6 days of racing to complete (sometimes up-to 3 races a day), I intend to compete in all races. I won’t be the best in the world but I shall keep you up to date with my tally of bruises and the number of times I fall in!

            Its all for a good cause and every penny will help. Please help me give back to those who have helped me and give so many children access to the education they deserve. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Dyslexia Research Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.
Anna x