Falmouth sailor and brain injury survivor Robin Elsey-Webb is making a powerful return to offshore racing this year with the launch of Kernow Ocean Racing.

Robin suffered a life-threatening brain injury in 2023, but fought his way back to competitive sailing and will take on the 2025 Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) season championship, with the Fastnet Race as a major focus. He will sail alongside experienced offshore racer Stuart Sawyer, in Stuart’s Class 40 yacht Black Dog VI.

Having raced offshore since a young age, Robin’s sailing career includes solo and crewed achievements across Europe and the Atlantic. But a suspected serious assault while abroad left him with multiple severe skull fractures, bleeding on the brain and a broken neck, requiring emergency neurosurgery and several weeks in hospital.

He took his first steps back into professional sailing last year with the Rowdy Classic team, an experience that was both emotionally and physically significant.

“Sailing with Rowdy has been a huge milestone,” he said. “It was the first time I felt I was truly back, competing at a high level again, with a team that has supported me every step of the way.”

The team has launched a JustGiving page in support of brain injury charity Headway UK, which provides life-changing services including rehabilitation and emotional support to survivors and their families.

Robin discovered Headway partway through his recovery.

“When I was first injured, we were completely in the dark, trying to manage everything ourselves,” he said. “We found them later and realised how much they could have helped. I want others to know they’re out there.”

Headway fundraising manager Helen Craig said: “Taking on this immense physical and mental challenge reflects the inner resilience, strength and courage of the brain injury survivors we support every day.”

To find out more and support the cause, visit www.facebook.com/robinkernowoceanracing