Strain for rowers in Atlantic
Wednesday 9th January 2008, 11:38AM GMT.
A Shropshire rower and his colleague who are battling against the elements in a bid to break a world record have encountered a whale and spoken about the physical and mental strain their six week cross-Atlantic trip has had on them.
Niall McCann, from Shrewsbury, and James Burge have been at sea since December 2 as they take part in the Atlantic Rowing Race.
In their latest blog they detail for the first time a full day at sea, including the problems they are facing with the weather which means they are now not due to finish the race until January 28 – a week later than planned.
The pair, who are rowing in the vessel Komale, were yesterday 1,179 miles from the finish line in Antigua.
In the pair’s latest internet blog Mr McCann, who now lives in Bristol but whose parents Anna and Seamus live in Shrewsbury, said that the sea had “deteriorated” meaning at one point over the last few days that had gone just a 26 miles in 24 hours.
Mr McCann said: “I normally sleep from 5pm to 6pm, but we are joined by a whale from 17.25 for 45 minutes so I don’t get a wink.
“It is absolutely wonderful seeing it circle the boat over and over again.”
His blog also reveals that their hopes of finishing the race by January 20 were looking unlikely of being fulfilled.
Click here to follow the blog – hosted on the Bristol Zoo website
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They are not the only Shropshire rowers on this mammoth adventure. How about coverage of Joss Elliott (from Shrewsbury) and his rowing partner Ian on Pendovey Swift.
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