A DORSET quadriplegic sailor is competing at the Skandia Sail for Gold regatta with his new crewmate Jo Frith.

Keith Harris, aged 36, of Bournemouth, was paralysed after contracting a severe flu virus when he was six months old.

It destroyed his nervous system leaving him unable to move his limbs. He has since learned to control things with his tongue, including his boat Orville using a joystick.

New sailor Jo Frith, from Glastonbury, has joined the Excalibur team as boat crew and sail trimmer.

They are competing in the Skud-18 and Harris said their goal was ‘not to come last’.

Harris, pictured in action, right, whose campaign for Paralympic glory was boosted by Portland businesses Quality Time Training and Portland Marina who gave him free use of a safety boat and fuel earlier this year, has the goal of competing at the 2012 Games, or at the Rio Games in 2016.

He added: “It’s my goal to compete in Rio 2016 but we’re going to try for 2012 – it’s very short notice.”