Eight years ago Justine Laymond, 39, suffered a dramatic lung collapse and was told she would die unless she received new lungs.
Beating the odds —
Eight years ago Justine Laymond, 39, suffered a dramatic lung collapse and was told she would die unless she received new lungs.
Clipper Ventures
She recently made history by becoming the first double lung transplant survivor ever to have raced across an ocean.
Making history —
She recently made history by becoming the first double lung transplant survivor ever to have raced across an ocean.
Clipper Ventures
She is part of a multinational crew that is taking part in the bi-annual "Clipper Round the World Yacht Race" -- the only sailing race in the world where crews are made up of ordinary people, many with little or no sailing experience.
Anything but ordinary —
She is part of a multinational crew that is taking part in the bi-annual "Clipper Round the World Yacht Race" -- the only sailing race in the world where crews are made up of ordinary people, many with little or no sailing experience.
Clipper Ventures
It was an emotional farewell for Laymond when she embarked on her journey. Her parents, understandably worried about her health, had urged her not to go because they feared she might not survive the trip as she only has 60% lung capacity.
Emotional farewell —
It was an emotional farewell for Laymond when she embarked on her journey. Her parents, understandably worried about her health, had urged her not to go because they feared she might not survive the trip as she only has 60% lung capacity.
Clipper Ventures
Laymond decided to get involved in the race because one of the crews had a relay team of transplant patients, surgeons and specialist nurses on board its boat to raise awareness for organ transplantation -- something that saved her life six years ago.
Raising awareness —
Laymond decided to get involved in the race because one of the crews had a relay team of transplant patients, surgeons and specialist nurses on board its boat to raise awareness for organ transplantation -- something that saved her life six years ago.
Clipper Ventures
She decided to take part in the eighth and final leg of the race -- crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The journey was a grueling affair plagued by tropical storms and rough seas. Laymond described it as her "toughest ever challenge."
Tough journey —
She decided to take part in the eighth and final leg of the race -- crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The journey was a grueling affair plagued by tropical storms and rough seas. Laymond described it as her "toughest ever challenge."
Clipper Ventures
Laymond, who started her Atlantic crossing in New York City, said she hopes her story will inspire others to donate organs to save peoples' lives.
Donate to save lives —
Laymond, who started her Atlantic crossing in New York City, said she hopes her story will inspire others to donate organs to save peoples' lives.
Clipper Ventures
The "Clipper Round the World Race" is the brainchild of Robin Knox-Johnston - the first man to sail single-handedly around the world. His aim is to give everyone, regardless of sailing experience, the opportunity of ocean racing.
The man with the plan —
The "Clipper Round the World Race" is the brainchild of Robin Knox-Johnston - the first man to sail single-handedly around the world. His aim is to give everyone, regardless of sailing experience, the opportunity of ocean racing.
Clipper Ventures
This year more than 500 people -- aged 18 to 73 -- from 41 countries are taking part in the 40,000 mile race, which started in August 2011 and is set to finish on 22 July.
Motley crue —
This year more than 500 people -- aged 18 to 73 -- from 41 countries are taking part in the 40,000 mile race, which started in August 2011 and is set to finish on 22 July.
Clipper Ventures
The line-up this year consists of ten identical 68-foot long Clipper yachts, which are all sponsored by different cities around the world
The line-up —
The line-up this year consists of ten identical 68-foot long Clipper yachts, which are all sponsored by different cities around the world
Clipper Ventures
The first race took place in 1996; it consisted of eight boats and saw 300 people take part in the round-the-world relay competition.
1996 and counting —
The first race took place in 1996; it consisted of eight boats and saw 300 people take part in the round-the-world relay competition.
Clipper Ventures
Anyone can apply to take part in the race. This year 230 different professions are represented from nurses to surgeons, pilots to farmers, engineers to accountants and teachers to students and the whole gamut of occupations in between.
The race for everyone —
Anyone can apply to take part in the race. This year 230 different professions are represented from nurses to surgeons, pilots to farmers, engineers to accountants and teachers to students and the whole gamut of occupations in between.
Clipper Ventures