Geoff Holt (sailor)
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Trevor Marden Holt MBE
(born 24 February 1966) is an English sailor
from Portsmouth
, now based in Southampton
, Hampshire
. Paralysed in an accident at the age of eighteen, in 2007 he became the first quadriplegic
yachtsman to sail solo around Great Britain
.
In December 2007 he was named BBC South
Sports Personality of the Year.
In December 2009 he set out to cross the Atlantic Ocean on his yacht the Impossible Dream, aiming to become the first quadriplegic
to do so.
Holt was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 24 February 1966) is an English sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
from Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, now based in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. Paralysed in an accident at the age of eighteen, in 2007 he became the first quadriplegic
Quadriplegia
Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is paralysis caused by illness or injury to a human that results in the partial or total loss of use of all their limbs and torso; paraplegia is similar but does not affect the arms...
yachtsman to sail solo around Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
In December 2007 he was named BBC South
BBC South
BBC South is the BBC English Region serving West Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, western Berkshire, Oxfordshire, south east Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight.-Television:...
Sports Personality of the Year.
In December 2009 he set out to cross the Atlantic Ocean on his yacht the Impossible Dream, aiming to become the first quadriplegic
Quadriplegia
Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is paralysis caused by illness or injury to a human that results in the partial or total loss of use of all their limbs and torso; paraplegia is similar but does not affect the arms...
to do so.
Holt was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.