The 39-year-old from England, who has suffered nearly 20 lung collapses due to a condition known as Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), is part of a multinational crew taking part in the bi-annual Clipper Round the World Yacht Race -- the only sailing race in the world where crews are made up by ordinary people, many with little or no sailing experience.

CNN: July 12, 2012 -- Updated 1330 GMT (2130 HKT)

In 2011, he broke his back in Malaysia after coming off a motorbike during a round-the-world sailing trip with his wife.

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