The Race:

The Newport Bermuda Race (www.bermudarace.com) is over 100 years old and ranks alongside the Fastnet and the Sydney Hobart as one of the most challenging pro/am ocean yacht races in the world.

It is a 700 mile race, mostly out of sight of land, lasting between 3 and 6 days.  It crosses a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean known for challenging weather, especially the Gulf Stream, where there are strong currents.

Each of the over 200 boats competing this year is fitted with a satellite tracking device and you can track our progress during the race by going to: http://www.bermudarace.com/OntheRacecourse/RaceTracking/tabid/199/Default.aspx

The crew of "Patriot", a Nautor Swan 48 (www.sailpatriot.com), will be training together for a week in the run up to the main race which begins in the early hours of 15th June.  There are ten of us onboard and we will be divided into two shifts to keep Patriot on course for the finish line at St. David's Head.

We hope to be very competitive with a new set of sails and asymmetrical spinnaker.  We are all very excited and can't wait get started.  I have personally been trying to do this race for the past 6 years!

Track our progress and wish us well!  :)

Batten Disease:

Batten Disease is the main paediatric neuro-degenerative disorder in the UK and it affects around 150 - 200 children and young adults across the UK.

A child affected by Batten Disease will be born apparently healthy before developing epilepsy, losing the ability to walk, talk, eat and see, as well as developing dementia, before dying a premature death between the ages of 5 - 30, depending on the type of Batten Disease they have inherited.

There are 3 main types of Batten Disease: Infantile, Late-infantile and Juvenile Batten Disease. There are also variant forms of Batten Disease. There is no cure for Batten Disease.

The Batten Disease Family Association:

The Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA) is the only charity dedicated to Batten Disease in the UK. The BDFA works to support families whose children and young adults are affected by Batten Disease. They fund the only Batten Disease helpline in the UK; provide specialist training days and networking schemes for all family members. The BDFA works to bring further awareness to Batten Disease in the UK and each year holds an annual Batten Disease awareness day. The BDFA funds essential research into understanding more about Batten Disease in the hope that therapies may be developed.

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