Anne Milton ‘Proud of Daughter Nikki’ For Helping Sail Activist Greta to Spain

Published on: 14 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 17 Nov, 2019

Nikki Henderson

Independent MP Anne Milton’s daughter, the record-breaking professional yacht skipper Nikki Henderson, is helping sail environmental activist Greta Thunberg from America back to Europe on the 48ft French catamaran La Vagabonde.

The boat, using solar panels and hydro-generators for power, is operated by Australian YouTubers Riley Whitlum and Elayna Carauso. Also aboard is Ms Carauso’s baby, Lennon.

Ms Henderson, born 1993, started sailing at 13 as a Sea Cadet and trained in “Girls for Sail”, the UK’s only all-female sailing school, She has won distinction in international racing. Last year, aged just 25, she was the youngest skipper in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race history, winning second place on the Visit Seattle.

She has skippered three ARC Trans-Atlantic races, twice as youngest skipper, raced three Caribbean seasons, skippered the Caribbean 600, competed in two Fastnet Races, and had been teaching and offshore racing in Europe.

Anne Milton watches the protesters who took part in the Climate Strike in September. After watching she joined the march.

Ms Milton, who took part in September’s Climate Strike march through Guildford, said this evening (November 14) “I am extremely proud of my daughter playing her small part in Greta’s amazing journey.”

Greta Thunberg

Ms Thunberg, 16, had been planning to attend the UN climate meeting COP25 in Chile but after the country suffered violent anti-government protests the event was transferred to Spain. About 25,000 people are expected to attend.

The activist had been planning to travel slowly through the Americas and put out a call for help on social media. “So happy to say I’ll hopefully make it to COP25 in Madrid,” said. Ms Thunberg, who does not eat meat and refuses to travel by air because of its environmental impact.