Vic: Paraplegic solo sailor to leave today

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-1999
Vic: Paraplegic solo sailor to leave today

A Melbourne paraplegic will set sail this morning in a bid to become the first disabled
person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.

VINNY LAUWERS, 32, from Footscray, will be farewelled by Premier STEVE BRACKS before
setting sail from Williamstown on his custom-made yacht Vision Quest.

He will leave at 11am and will be accompanied towards Port Phillip heads by a flotilla of boats.

Mr LAUWERS has been unable to walk since he severed his spinal cord in a motorcycle
accident when he was 22.

But after the accident the keen sailor relearnt his sailing skills taking advanced
sailing, ocean and navigation courses.

Since then he has competed in two Sydney to Hobart yacht races and three East Coast Ocean races.

Through his world voyage Mr LAUWERS will raise funds for Parasail - Caring For Kids,
a non-profit organisation for disabled and disadvantaged children he set up four years
ago.

AAP RTV hmg/sjg/smf

KEYWORD: PARASAIL ( MELBOURNE)

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