A blind sailor who won a world sailing competition has proved nothing is impossible.

Lucy Hodges, 41, from Rochford, competed in the 2017 Blind Sailing World Championship last month in Sheboygan, USA.

She and her team won a flawless victory in the B2 division, which is a division for competitors who have limited vision.

Lucy, commodore of Blind Sailing, which is a charity that provides sailing training for the blind and partially sighted, headed the training for the British team.

She said: “I was really excited when we won. We’ve been training for a year and I am extremely proud of the whole team. We didn’t lose a race.

“I want to thank the coaches and trainers too, who put so much time and effort in getting the training programme organised for the team.”

Lucy was born with nystagmus, which is involuntary movement of the eyes that leaves patients with reduced or limited vision. Despite this, Lucy still actively participated in sports – especially aqua sports.

Her path to becoming a world sailing champion started when she was 17 when her dad took her to an RYA Sailability event. Since then, Lucy has been determined to a help visually impaired people realise their dreams.

She said: “When I started Blind Sailing I have never looked back. When I started I was shy, very quiet, wondering what would be in the future with a visual impairment. But I can say I have never looked back, only forward, wanting to give others a chance to grow and achieve through sailing.

Echo:

Colin Midgley, Toby Davey, Lucy and Ben Hazeldine

“To me sports, especially sailing, gives you freedom and self-confidence. Lots of people lose their sight in their adulthood. Obviously this is a life changing event for them and sometimes they don’t know how to cope.

“At our charity, we train people in sailing, giving them the confidence and morale they need.

“Whenever we get a phone call from someone needing help we respond very quickly because some people can sink into depression if their concerns aren’t addressed in a timely manner.”

Lucy said doors are always open to anyone who is willing to seize opportunities.

She said: “To anyone living with nystagmus or a blindness, there’s so many doors open to you, and you can always reach out to people for help. And life can become very easy.

“A lot of people think we live with a lot of barriers, and we can’t do this or do that. For me the only thing I can’t do is driving.

“I don’t let negative thoughts get to me. I just think about how many chances I’ve had to go around the world to compete in world championships, and not many people have had the chance to do that. And the charity work I’m doing now has helped so many people.

“In the sailing team, our members all work in successful jobs. I work as a civil servant, someone working in the legal field, and another team member runs his own physiotherapy clinic.

“I can honestly say no matter what age you are or your experience, contact us and come and try sailing. Your senses will be put to the test, you feel the breeze. Put one dip of your toe in the water and you will want to come back – even as volunteers.”