Terminally Ill Sailor Plans Next Challenge

A terminally ill sailor says she started planning her next challenge just three hours after completing a solo voyage around the British Isles.

Jazz Turner, an engineer from Seaford, East Sussex, arrived back at Brighton Marina on Monday, exactly four weeks after setting off to become the first disabled person ever to complete the feat without support.

She battled through huge waves, heavy winds and even ran aground in Folkestone, Kent, a day before completing her 2,070 mile (3,331km) trip.

Ms Turner, whose next charity challenge is still being kept closely under wraps, said she was “pleased to be home”.

She told BBC Radio Sussex: “There were definitely times where I was screaming at the boat and screaming at the wind and all I wanted was to go back into harbour.

“The sea has an annoying habit of whenever you are ready to give up it brings you back.

She said: “The worst part was being apart from my assistance dog Phoebe.

“Arriving back in Brighton was very overwhelming.

“I knew people had been following my journey, but you don’t really get a sense of that when it’s just you and the boat and the sea.”

She said: “It was a shock to see so many people I didn’t know who had just come along to cheer.”

Ms Turner said of running aground off Kent: “It wasn’t my finest moment.

“Mistakes happen and it’s what you do after which defines you.”

She also got caught in high winds and storms.

“I didn’t enjoy the thunder and lightning as I was about 100 miles offshore.

“All I could think was I had a big metal mast sticking up and I was the tallest thing out there.”

The 26-year-old lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a debilitating genetic condition that affects connective tissue.

But this has not stopped her from raising £52,000 so far from the challenge for her charity, Sailability, which helps people with disabilities access sailing.

Carolyn Turner, Jazz’s mother, said: “It’s a relief to have her home.

“I’m a sailor as well and I know what the conditions can throw at you.

“We can’t really put into words how proud we are of her and all she has achieved.”

Chris Turner, her father, said: “I’m glad all the modifications I did to her boat held up.”

The record-breaking sailor said: “It was probably easier for me because I was just dealing with what I had to deal with daily.

“My parents didn’t know what was going on.

“I couldn’t have done it without their total, unwavering support.”