SALT of the sea

Viktor Perecz (25), a trainee on board Femme Fatale (Hungary), has special reason to enjoy his time at sea.  In common with the other two young trainees on board, David Sinkovics (19) and Akos Pap (18), he is recovering from cancer and the challenges that such a diagnosis can bring.  With financial help from the Oman Bursary scheme and the encouragement and support of S.A.L.T (Sail and Life Training Association Hungary) Viktor travelled to Barcelona to join the Regatta for Race One to Toulon (France).  Femme Fatale is skippered by Csaba Horvath, himself a cancer survivor.  

Viktor has never sailed before and learned of the organisation and the Regatta through the hospice where he works.  

“This is the best thing that has happened to me.  My treatment finished six years ago but the captain’s treatment finished twenty years ago and here he is doing this for others.  It has given me a belief in myself rather than just believing in doctors and medicines” said Viktor.  

S.A.L.T. has a mission to encourage sail training for young people in Hungary, regardless of their social or other conditions.  For the Tall Ships Races 2013 in the Baltic they placed nine young people on different ships, including Alexander Von Humboldt II and Golden Leeuw.  Inspired by Dame Ellen MacArthur’s Cancer Trust, S.A.L.T. particularly encourages young cancer patients and those suffering from other serious illness with the aim of aiding their rehabilitation after treatment.   S.A.L.T have a strong belief that there are major benefits of sailing for these young people, beyond the usual ones of developing personal confidence and learning to work as a team.   

“Two months ago I was in hospital having treatment, and now I am here on a boat and feel very good” said Akos, who looks as well as he sounds.

S.A.L.T. Hungary represents Hungary among the national sail training organizations (NSTO’), probationary member of the Sail Training International (STI) and has representative in International Council of STI.

“During the race we saw dolphins, whales and tuna fish.  The sky was amazing – so many stars.  It was the best thing I’ve ever seen.  I don’t want to go home!” said David.  

“David said it all, it was amazing.  It is an interesting feeling when everything around you is water.  You can’t help but reflect about your life and the people in it.  I realised that everyone has a chance to turn their lives around and I will never forget it” added Viktor.  

Provisional results from Race One show Femme Fatale as finishing 1st in Class C. Not bad for a country with a rich maritime history but no sea!

Provisional race results can be seen here 

Lycamobile – title sponsor of the Mediterranean Tall Ships Regatta

Gaastra – official clothing supplier to the Mediterranean Tall Ships Regatta

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For more details please contact Pauline Appleby, Media Manager, on pauline.appleby@sailtraininginternational.org Tel: +44(0) 7785 567487

Editor’ notes:

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