Jazz Turner
Jazz Turner (b 8 July 1998)[1] is a paralympic sailor and wheelchair user who competes in the Hansa 303,[2] and the RS Venture Connect SCS classes. In 2025 she created Project Fear[3] in which she set out to circumnavigate the British Isles and Ireland solo and unsupported on 2 June 2025 and succeeded on 30 June 2025.[4]
Turner sailed her 8.25 m (27.1 ft) Albin Vega yacht named the Fear, which had been specially adapted to suit her needs. The Fear is named after Turner's 'Project Fear',[5] the name derived from the phrase "Face everything and rise."[6] Turner has Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, diagnosed when she was 18. Her condition is stated to be terminal.[7][8] Project Fear was also a fundraising exercise, Turner exceeded her initial £30,000 target,[9] raising over £50,000 as she returned to Brighton Marina.[10] The project raised the money for Newhaven and Seaford Sailing club's RYA Sailability group.
Prior to Turner's record setting voyage round the UK, her international sailing track record included winning the 2024 Swiss Cup in the two handed RS Venture Connect SCS class, and winning silver(2023) and bronze (2024) in the 'inclusive' category in the RS Venture Connect SCS World championships.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ Hignell, Alastair (5 July 2025). "'If you can dream it, you can do it': disabled sailor completes record-breaking voyage". The Observer. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Durston, David (6 June 2024). "Hansa Class UK National Championships 2024 at Whitefriars Sailing Club". Yachts and Yachting. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Turner, Jazz (25 March 2025). "Introducing Jazz Turner's Project FEAR". Yachte and Yachting. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Carden, George (30 June 2025). "Terminally ill sailor completes 2,000 mile voyage". BBC News. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Para-athlete hopes to become first disabled person to sail solo and non-stop around British Isles". ITV News. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Meer, Ursula (1 July 2025). "Jazz Turner is the first wheelchair user to circumnavigate Great Britain single-handedly". Yacht. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Maisner, Stuart (4 July 2025). "Terminally ill sailor plans next challenge". BBC News. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Hignell, Alastair (3 May 2025). "A hospice? I'd rather chase my dreams and sail solo around the British Isles". The Observer. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Jasper, Jenny (24 June 2024). "Disabled athlete and engineer Jazz Turner 'smashes' charity fundraising target". Yachting Monthly. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ ""Sailing gives you freedom" One woman's record-breaking journey around the UK – and beyond". RYA. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "RS Venture Connect Class World Championship Hall of Fame". RS Venture Connect. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "HIGH WINDS, FIERCE COMPETITION AND INCLUSIVE COMRADERY AT THE RS VENTURE CONNECT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2024". 11 October 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
