The blind Bristolian woman who sails for Great Britain

A woman who has helmed a blind sailing team representing Great Britain says the sport gives her a “sense of freedom”.

Sally Rodrigues, 47, from Bristol, was born fully sighted, but was diagnosed with an eye inflammation condition called uveitis aged six. It left her with almost no vision.

Ms Rodrigues, however, is a self-avowed “adrenaline junkie” – and has always loved the sea. This combination led her to join Britain’s blind sailing group, GBR Blind Sailing, in 2008, through which she has competed in various international races.

“I’ve got a very positive brain,” Ms Rodrigues said. “My blindness has not crushed that in any regard. I’m utterly irrepressible.”

Describing how she uses her other senses to help her navigate at sea, she said: “Your hearing and your sense of wind on your face and your body awareness of where the boat is going, you can feel all that through your body.”

Her team took second place at the Blind Match Racing World Championships in France in 2024.

Ms Rodrigues, who trains at Horfield Leisure Centre in Bristol, is now hoping to qualify for another sailing competition, which is being held in October.

“I think it takes more to shock or scare if you don’t have one of your senses,” she said.

“Sailing is a complete break from reality. If you don’t concentrate fully you could potentially have quite a nasty accident, which is mentally and physically exhausting but is something you train for.

“My trainer always says: Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”