Ludo Bennett-Jones UK circumnavigation- rudder snapped but almost home
by Nancy Knudsen on 11 Jul 2012
Ludo sailing with friend SW
THE RNLI Inshore Lifeboat in Hastings came to the rescue of a young man stranded two miles out at sea while trying to complete a record-breaking charity sail around the UK. Ludo Bennett-Jones, 21, was almost back to his starting point of Portsmouth, after more than 70 days, when the incident happened.
Ludo, from North Oxford, is trying to raise £100,000 and break two world records for the youngest person to sail a 16ft dinghy around the UK in the shortest time - a distance of 2,500miles.
He was sailing along the Hastings coast around 11am this week when the rudder snapped off. He called for help and the Lifeboat was launched from Hastings at 11.13am.
The boat reached him 13 minutes later and towed him back to their station.
A replacement rudder arrived from Portsmouth on Sunday and the Lifeboat crew assisted in re-launching the dinghy back into the sea.
Ludo, an accomplished sailor from Oxford, set out from Cowes on the Isle of Wight on April 28 to take on the mammoth 2,500 mile challenge.
He is raising money for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Sport Relief and expected to complete his journey at East Cowes on Thursday
At the beginning of his voyage there was a terrific send off for Ludo and his first crew mate Will at the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust offices in East Cowes with friends and family gathered to wave bon voyage to the intrepid adventurers.
Before departure Ludo said, 'This has never been done before in a two handed dinghy and it is extremely difficult. The dangers lie in the shifting wind, the currents around Ireland, the tides and the waves.'
Almost home Ludo! To follow the balance of his journey, see his homecoming or donate to his good causes, http://www.loveludo.com/!click_here
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