FOUR Islanders rowing the Atlantic Ocean have reached the halfway point of their crossing.
The crew – Intrepid 232 – have battled rough seas and strong winds, but there is now a mere 1,300 nautical miles between their boat and the finishing line in Antigua.
Julie Brady, Helene Monpetit, Rosemary Satchwell and Alison Smithurst set off on the roughly 2,600-nautical-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua on 13 December.
The team is one of 38 crews taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – dubbed the “world’s toughest row”.
A spokesperson for Intrepid232 wrote on their social media yesterday morning: “The team now have less miles to row than they have rowed!”
This will be a “huge psychological boost”, they continued.
“Whilst they are now as far away from land as they possibly can be, they are no longer rowing further away. Now every single stroke is bringing them closer.
“Closer to fresh food, closer to a bed that doesn’t wobble, closer to dry clothes, and closer to loved ones. It’ll be an emotional moment as they start this second phase of their journey!”
Team Intrepid are seeking support from Islanders for their fundraising efforts, with money collected to be split between two causes close to team members’ hearts.
Half the proceeds will go to the Grace Crocker Foundation, which supports families while children receive medical treatment in the UK, with the remainder going to the Blue Marine Foundation, which works to protect the ocean by tackling overfishing.
The team’s fundraising page can be found at: gofundme.com/atlantic-ocean-rowing-challenge-2023
More details on the race, including a tracker for the team’s latest position, can be found online at: worldstoughestrow.com
