WEST Mersea sailor Hannah Stodel is ready to embark on a major new challenge to become the first disabled person to complete the gruelling Vendee Globe.

The 31-year-old, who has represented Great Britain at four Paralympics, has announced she intends to compete in and finish the brutal single-handed solo yacht race, which is sailed around the world non-stop and without assistance.

The Vendee Globe, considered by many as the ultimate in ocean racing, takes place every four years and Stodel is aiming to take part in the 2020 event.

Stodel, who was born without a lower right arm, has enjoyed much success in the Sonar class with crew John Robertson and Stephen Thomas over a period of more than 16 years, including numerous World Championship medals.

But now she intends to concentrate on offshore sailing – and has set her sights on the ultimate endurance sailing event.

Stodel told the Daily Gazette: “Taking part in the Vendee Globe has been something that I’d been thinking about for quite a while.

“I first had the idea of doing it put in my head in 1998 and back then, I’d have been crazy to do it but I’ve always talked about it.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far and I love having a challenge.

“I’ve always been ambitious and driven and it’s a new project for me to get stuck into.

“I’ve had a positive reaction after announcing what I’m doing.

“I think people have been surprised because one, I’m female and two, I’m disabled.

“I want to prove to people that it can be done and that you can achieve something, if you really want to.

“I’m not sure that many people know about the Vendee Globe here but hopefully, I can change that.”

Stodel acknowledges that plenty of preparation and hard work will be needed in order for her to be on the start line in Les Sables.

She said: “The race might be taking place in 2020 but the timeline is pretty tight for an event like this.

“This is a completely different ball game to the Paralympic Games and there’s a lot of stuff behind the scenes that needs to be done.

“It’s a case of building a support team around me that will help me compete.

“You have to be pretty strict with it, especially with the safety aspect.”