Yachtswoman Katie McCabe has been announced as the first guest speaker at BoatLife Live, which takes place 17 – 20 February 2022, at the NEC, in the heart of the Midlands.
Earlier this year, Katie embarked on a 14,000-mile odyssey to become the youngest person to sail solo around Britain. Now, the 14-year-old record-breaker will be at BoatLife Live, along with her 26ft wooden yacht named Falanda. .
The teenager, who grew up on boats, found her project boat Falanda in 2019 and restored her, along with the help of dad David, who is a wooden boat builder. The YJA award-winning, solo sailor will be joining the Live Stage, entertaining visitors with the account of her seven-week voyage in which, to break the record, Katie sailed anti-clockwise around Britain back to where she started in Topsham, Devon.
The Live Stage will be hosted by Olympic Silver Medallist, offshore sailor and commentator, Mark Covell. He will be joined by Katie and other guests in an ‘on the sofa with’ relaxed style. Also lined up is the Atlantic Flyers team talking about all things rowing and regaling stories from their Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, as well as The Seagrass Project who will discuss their conservation work. In addition, an Influencer panel, including Two Crew and a Cockapoo and Kelly the Kite Surfing Sailor, will talk about their connection to the water and much more.
