Paralysed from neck down, Lister was first disabled woman to sail solo round Britain

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The first disabled woman to sail solo around Britain has died at the age of 46.



Hilary Lister, who was paralysed from the neck down, became famous after she used the “sip-and-puff” system for steering and controlling a yacht’s sails by blowing and sucking through plastic straws.

She became the first quadriplegic person to sail across the Channel in 2005 and then the first quadriplegic woman to sail around the Isle of Wight in 2007. Two years later she sailed solo around Britain.

The International Sailing Federation (now known as World Sailing) judged that the feat put her in the top four sailors in the world.

Announcing her death, a post on her charity website said: “It is with deep regret that Hilary’s Dream Trust announces the passing of its founder – Hilary Lister – an inspiration to many, a recipient of many accolades and a record holder of many sailing achievements.”

Alex Lister paid tribute to his stepmother, telling the BBC: “She turned the suffering she was experiencing into an opportunity.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Lister pictured in 2008 during preparations for her first round-Britain attempt. Photograph: Mark Lloyd/PA

Lister, from Dunkirk, near Canterbury, Kent, was born able-bodied but had the degenerative condition reflex sympathetic dystrophy, which meant she used a wheelchair from the age of 15.

She went on to study biochemistry at Jesus College, Oxford, but during her studies her condition worsened and she became paralysed from the neck down at the age of 27.

Lister started sailing with Westbere Sailing Opportunities in Canterbury in 2003, and said: “Within 30 seconds of being in a boat I was in love.”

She won the Sunday Times Helen Rollason award for inspiration in 2007 and was awarded other accolades, including a Cosmopolitan superhero award and the Royal Cruising Club’s seamanship award in 2005.

Hilary’s Dream Trust supports disabled and disadvantaged people in taking up sailing.