A severely paralysed woman today broke a world record by becoming the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the English Channel.

Able to move only her head, eyes and mouth, Hilary Lister overcame severe physical pain to navigate her boat unaided through one of the busiest and most treacherous shipping lanes in the world.

The 33-year-old took six hours and 13 minutes to sail her 26ft boat ’Malin’ - a cross between a dinghy and a yacht - from Dover to Calais arriving at 2.39pm (British time). By completing the trip she set a record for the world’s longest solo sail by a quadriplegic.

Speaking after a champagne welcome to France, she said: "I am just thrilled. I can’t tell you what it feels like. I am so grateful to everyone who made it possible.

"It is very emotional for me. I was absolutely certain that once I got in the boat that I could make it to France. I am too stubborn to give up."

She added that, by completing the voyage, she would challenge the public’s perception of disabled people. She said: "I want to get able-bodied people to rethink their views about the disabled. We do not need wrapping up in cotton wool, and can go out and do silly or dangerous things if that’s what we want to do."

Mrs Lister lives with her husband Clifford in Canterbury, Kent. She now has her sights on sailing around Britain, in a new challenge to take place next year.

The boat, sponsored by international print and electronic media company Pindar, is specially adapted to be controlled by the breath. The "sip and puff" method allows Mrs Lister to adjust the sails and tiller through blowing and sucking through two straws.

Mrs Lister was diagnosed when she was a teenager with the degenerative disease reflex sympathetic dystrophy which causes exaggerated and painful responses from normal sensations and has gradually led to Mrs Lister losing most of her normal functions. She took up sailing two years ago as a way to boost her self-confidence, and says that sailing has transformed her life.

Speaking before the bid, she said: "Sailing provided me with fresh hope and determination at a time when I was at my lowest ebb. The Channel Challenge has quite literally saved my life and sailing has given me a sense of freedom I never thought would be possible again.

"It has been my ultimate ambition to sail alone across the English Channel and I can’t thank enough all the people who have made it possible - the support really has been overwhelming."

Yachtswoman Emma Richards, who sailed in a support boat during today’s record attempt, said : "Hilary is a truly exceptional figure. When I first met her I was inspired by her spirit and determination and I felt that the Channel Challenge was a fantastic project to be involved with.

"It has been an amazing day and Hilary has been on top form, she must be running on adrenaline alone now she’s finished."

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