Reto Pelayo Vida

Trasatlántica

PELAYO VIDA 2016 CHALLENGE

From 18 October 2016 to 6 December 2016

In 1952, Ann Davidson became the first woman to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. After 61 days of sailing from the United States to Great Britain and the loss of several of her fingers due to frostbite, she managed to overcome the challenge. In 2009, Ana Corbella became the first Spanish woman to cross it. Since Alfred Johnson, who was the first sailor to cross the Atlantic in 1876, the Transat has become a real challenge for hundreds of sailors around the world.

HOW

The Pelayo Vida Trasatlántica’2016 Challenge against cancer, now in its second edition, aims to spread the word about the benefits of exercising during and after cancer treatment. 64 years after Ann Davidson’s feat, five women who had suffered from cancer crossed the Atlantic in 13 days and 8 hours, linking Tenerife with Martinique. In total, 5,083 km aboard the 73-foot sailboat Cannonball.

WHY

Sailing itself is an adventure, crossing the Atlantic is a feat, like that of all women facing this tough disease. We want to convey a message of hope, will to live, personal growth and self-esteem to everyone: healing is possible and compatible with a good quality of life.

This challenge is tantamount to life for me. Life to keep fighting for what you want, to be able to reach a goal by defying your own limits, even when it seems you cannot take it anymore.

Susana, 42, breast cancer

Being able to do my bit for women like me who have had breast cancer, giving them a glimmer of hope, a simple thought that after cancer there is more life.

Marián, 44, breast cancer

There is something to celebrate every day, as every day is unique. I have a huge desire to live.

Carmen, 56, breast cancer

Some opportunities are worth taking, and I refuse to feel sorry for myself. I want with all my might to live again an intense experience with great travel mates. If you manage to overcome it, you will come out stronger.

Yolanda, 50, uterine cancer

I saw a group of women with cancer climbing Kilimanjaro. At that moment, I was overcome by a feeling that told me that I could also do one of these adventures and show the world that it is possible.

Patricia, 37, breast cancer

Diego Fructuoso

Head of the expedition

As a sailor, as can be seen from my sporting CV, I have always been linked to Olympic sailing, mainly in the Finn and Star classes. In the latter class, I sailed alongside Olympic champion José María Van der Ploeg, and we were runners-up in the 2002 European Championships. In 2011-2012, he took part on board Team Telefónica in the Volvo Ocean Race, the toughest round-the-world sailing race.