Mum-of-two's epic saling trip

6:03pm Sunday 30th December 2007

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A MUM-of-two was due back on dry land today after embarking on a fund-raising sailing trip on the other side of the world.

Alex Cooper has just taken part in the Rolex Sydney -Hobart event, one of the world's most gruelling yacht races, to raise money for the charity Sail 4 Cancer.

She travelled from her Ribchester home to Australia before Christmas to undergo intensive training in preparation for the race, which set off from Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Boxing Day.

The 628 nautical mile course goes through the Tasman Sea, down the south-east coast of mainland Australia, then along the east coast of Tasmania.

At Tasman Island the fleet turns right into Storm Bay for the final sail up the Derwent River to Tasmanian port capital of Hobart.

Alex was the only woman in a 12 strong crew on Arctos, a 55ft yacht, which finished the course in four days and nearly five hours, coming 60th out of a total 89 yachts.

Crews braved treacherous force 10 and 11 gales during the race, which is expected to finish today when the final yachts arrive in Hobart.

Alex was hoping to have raised £4,000 for Sail 4 Cancer, which aims to improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by the disease.

She was inspired to tackle the challenge by her mother Gillian who has faced a long battle with leukaemia.

Alex said: "My mum has battled leukaemia with a smile on her face for a number of years, so I know the Sydney to Hobart challenge is nothing compared to the brave battle cancer patients and their families face every day. This really is a cause close to my heart.

"I grew up playing on my grandfather's boat on Lake Windermere, but the extent of my sailing in recent years has been sunbathing on the foredeck of boats in the South of France.

"Earlier this year I was encouraged to turn my hobby into something more serious and something which I could raise money for charity from, so I took the Day Skipper course.

"The nerves I had about the physical and mental challenges of the race are nothing compared to how nervous I am about my daughters, Hannah, 18, and Megan, 16, who are doing a 15,000ft sky dive to raise money for the same charity in the New Year."

Now in its 63rd year, the Rolex Sydney Hobart has become one of the major events in Australia's summer sport calendar.