Please select your home edition
Edition
Pantaenius Sail 2025 ROW Leaderboard

Hilary and Nashwa team up to set two new trans-ocean records

by Oman Sail on 7 Mar 2014
Hilary Lister Oman Sail
Oman Sail’s support of innovation in sailing moves to the Indian Ocean next week when British quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister and Oman’s Nashwa Al Kindi set out on an extraordinary journey from Mumbai, India, to Muscat, Oman, to set two new trans-ocean records.

The trans-ocean crossing, sponsored by Omani companies Mistal - Ajit Khimji Group and United Engineering Services LLC, starts on 10 March and will be the first to be completed by a severely paralysed woman and the first to be recorded by an Arab female sailor.

'Hilary and Nashwa are two remarkable women taking on a route that was used centuries ago when the Indo-Oman trading links were first established. This route was important to the development of Oman and is appropriate for this historic voyage,' said Dharmesh A. Khimji, Managing Director, Mistal - Ajit Khimji Group.

Hilary, who is paralysed from the neck down, became one of Britain’s best-known sailors in 2009 when she sailed solo around Britain to set a new disabled record.

Since she started sailing 11 years ago, Hilary who suffers from degenerative disease Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy has felt a strong calling to the ocean and although she has never spent more than 36 hours at sea before, this latest Mumbai to Muscat test is her most exciting yet.

'This is a big challenge in terms of personal endurance and navigating large stretches of water and being responsible for myself and other people as well,' she said.

'But I can’t wait. I love the ocean and feel a huge call to it. I also feel it’s a huge privilege to make this voyage, especially with Nashwa who will be the first Omani woman to make an oceanic passage and that makes me feel very privileged.'

Nashwa, an Omani dinghy instructor at Oman Sail who last November won the ISAF President Development Award for outstanding achievement in the development of sailing, said:

'I will be the first Arab woman to do this so if I reach Oman safely, this will be a record. I’m very excited. My friends and family keep asking me why I am doing this but the truth is I love sailing and one day want to sail solo so this is a small step towards my big dream.'

The two female sailors will be accompanied onboard by Oman Sail’s Niall Myant, a qualified Yachtmaster with extensive offshore sailing experience, who will help in the event of an emergency and a carer to attend to Hilary’s medical needs. Neither will assist in the sailing of the boat.


2014 Hilary & Nashwa Trans Ocean Voyage © Oman Sail
2014 Hilary & Nashwa Trans Ocean Voyage © Oman
Oman Sail
V-DRY-XHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeAllen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | Welcome from Cowes
Bow Caddy Media provide an introduction and interview with Shane Guanaria from Zen Ahead of the first race, Crosbie Lorimer provides an introduction and interviews Shane Guanaria from Zen
Posted on 18 Jul
Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win
The BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance in Portsmouth Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth.
Posted on 18 Jul
4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted on 18 Jul
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted on 18 Jul
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted on 18 Jul
Next RYA Connected Webinar: Keeping Sailing Safe
Creating Policies and Getting Criminal Records Checks Right Join us on Monday the 28th July at 7pm for our next Connected Webinar - Keeping Sailing Safe: Creating Policies and Getting Criminal Records Checks Right.
Posted on 18 Jul
Elite Training at New Sailing Centre
Canash Beach, St Vincent, hosts international sailors The SVG Sailing Association held a successful High Performance Race Training Clinic, at the newly established High Performance Centre at Canash Beach, St Vincent. The four-day event ran from July 13th to 16th.
Posted on 18 Jul
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted on 18 Jul
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted on 18 Jul
Comets at Shustoke
Sunscreen was applied liberally and hydration levels were questioned Shustoke Sailing Club hosted its Comet Open on Sunday 13th July under blazing skies and soaring temperatures as the summer heatwave showed no signs of abating. Sunscreen was applied liberally and hydration levels were questioned.
Posted on 18 Jul