Shropshire's Atlantic Ladies hoping to finish 'world’s ‘toughest rowing race’ in two weeks
With not one but two birthdays marked at sea, the all female crew who are rowing the Atlantic in 'the world’s toughest rowing race’ will have a third reason to celebrate as they are on target to make landfall in a little under two weeks time.
The Atlantic Ladies team comprises of retired NHS worker Dianne Carrington from Pontesbury, Shrewsbury midwife Sharon Magrath and lawyer Elaine Theaker from Abergavenny.
They are taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and are aiming to complete the 3,000 mile trip to Antigua in record time.
The trio set off from San Sebastian de La Gomera in the Canary Islands in mid December and with just over 600 nautical miles to go until they reach the Caribbean isle, it looks as though they will complete their marathon row around February 12.
During the row, the group is hoping to break world records as Dianne, at the age of 62, will be the oldest woman to row across the Atlantic. The current record is 57.
They also believe they are the only crew of three females to row any ocean.
Dianne celebrated her birthday in the first few days of the trip and Sharon turned 55 earlier this week.
Speaking from the mid Atlantic Sharon, said that the weather and sea conditions had played havoc with their rowing schedule but they had kept their spirits up and the end was now in sight.
She said that her crew mates had sung her Happy Birthday and she had opened cards from her family and loved ones back home in Shropshire.
She added that it was ‘surreal’ and emotional to be celebrating her birthday in the Atlantic and it was one she would not forget.
She said: “We are trying to do around about 45 and 50 nautical miles a day and it looks like we will get to Antigua around February 12.
“We have had horrendous weather with huge waves coming at us and there was a risk of them capsizing the boat. We took the decision not to row in the dark.
Training
“Our hands are sore and our bottoms are sore.
"We have had some really good days, the sun has been shining, there have been few clouds and the nice big rollers have been pushing us along in the right direction.
“Other days the waves have been going in a different direction.”
Teams from around the world have been in training for up to two years in preparation.
The trio are rowing the Atlantic to raise money for three charities Relapsing Polychondritis UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Motor Neurone Disease Association.
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