Norfolk brain injury survivor ready for the final race of the Clipper 2017/2018 Round the World Yacht Race
David Greer's team yacht passing the Statue of Liberty in New York. Picture: supplied by Marie Greer - Credit: Archant
Norfolk's intrepid sailor David Greer, 66, is preparing for the final race of the Clipper 2017/2018 Round the World Yacht Race.
David Greer, right, with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, centre, the pioneer of the Clipper race, and fellow crew member Oliver. Picture: supplied by Marie Greer - Credit: Archant
The brain injury survivor from Mundesley set out to realise his life-long ambition to circumnavigate the globe last July.
The race, which is considered to be the toughest endurance challenge on the planet, is between 12 identical 70-ft ocean racing yachts and is aimed at amateurs.
David's wife Marie Greer said: 'Having survived the first six legs with his team PSP Logistics including the whale strike in leg two and the toughest of races, leg six, sadly the effects of David's brain injury caught up with him.
'He was forced to take a few weeks out of the race to see if his brain could recover sufficiently to return to the race at a later stage.
David Greer is about to start the final race in the Clipper round the world yacht race. Pictures: supplied by Marie Greer - Credit: Archant
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'Whilst David was sad to be stepping away for a few weeks he was happy with his decision and proud of what he had already achieved against the odds. He said that 'over 40,000 miles on a mighty ocean racing yacht in the extremes of all conditions, for a 66-year-old who once couldn't walk following brain injury, is a major achievement'.
'David returned to Mundesley for a few weeks' recovery. Initially convinced that he wouldn't return, within a few weeks he was ready to re-join his team so took a flight to New York and was ready to start again.
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'He has just completed the penultimate race, New York to Derry-Londonderry, and it was a special moment for the Belfast born-and-bred sailor as he stepped on to Northern Irish soil.
He is due to set sail again on July 22 for the final race of his challenge, Derry to Liverpool. He will arrive in Liverpool on July 28, one year and one day after leaving home.
Mrs Greer added: 'David then returns to a life more ordinary. Well, that is until he enters the next Clipper Edition (2019/20) to complete the race that he was forced to miss this time. Clearly he has not got the sailing bug out of his system.'
