SHE HAS conquered the oceans and defeated breast cancer – now a Hampshire yachtswoman hopes to inspire millions across the globe.

Emma Pontin is planning to lead a crew of 36 fellow breast cancer survivors on an epic round-the-world sailing challenge.

The international racing skipper from Hamble, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 just hours before a transatlantic race, hopes to bring global awareness of the disease and raise much-needed funds.

She needs to raise £600,000 and is looking for companies to sponsor her charitable mission, breastcancerroundtheworld.

Once sponsorship is secured, she will then start a search for breast cancer survivors – both women and men – interested in taking part.

“I used to think ocean racing was a challenge, but it is nothing compared to breast cancer,” the 39-year-old said.

“My sailing was a Godsend and if I can give someone else the focus to fight for their life, that would be fantastic.”

After a nationwide search and selection process, the novice sailors will undergo rigorous training, team building and familiarisation onboard a proven round-the-world racing yacht.

30,000 miles Some of the crew will complete the entire ten-month, 30,000 mile ocean voyage, which will be broken down into short legs, whilst others will complete separate legs.

Emma is aiming to launch “breastcancerroundtheworld” in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness month. The challenge will then set off from London in October 2011.

All funds raised will be donated to two charities that played an enormous part in her battle, Breast Cancer Campaign and Breast Cancer Care.

“Breast cancer is an indiscriminate disease that continues to touch countless lives around the world,” she added.

“Sponsorship of this challenge provides a wonderful opportunity for one or more organisations to make a genuine difference to the lives of many breast cancer sufferers and their families worldwide.”

Emma has chronicled her battle against breast cancer in a new book, Beating the Blowfish. Following a mastectomy, she continued to sail and the next year skippered a yacht in a transatlantic race and took part in the gruelling Sydney to Hobart.

If you are a company and are interested in sponsoring the challenge email breastcancerroundtheworld@yahoo.

co.uk or go to emmapontin.com for more information.