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| Photos courtesy of Andy Hargreaves at @ScillyToday |
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Precious Lives Atlantic Challenge set off from New York on the 7th June hoping to follow in the footsteps of the historic rowing pair, George Harbo and Frank Samuelson who crossed the Atlantic in just 55 days back in 1896. The route from New York to the Isles of Scilly is considered to be the hardest route to cross the Atlantic, and Chris and Elliott will be only the second pair in the world ever to have achieved this incredible row. Now Chris and Elliott are headed for dry land. And although indications show that they will not beat the 55 day historic ocean rowing record (which would mean returning late on 1st August), they will, on arrival to St Mary’s Harbour, Isles of Scilly, row into the ocean rowing record books by setting the fastest time for a pair of rowers from New York to the Scilly Isles in an open class rowing boat!
If weather conditions allow, the intrepid rowers hope to reach the Isles of Scilly, near Cornwall early on the 5th August. One person who can relate to their experience is Brian Fletcher, project manager of the Precious Lives Atlantic Challenge. A seasoned ocean rower himself having taken part in the Talisker Atlantic Challenge – the toughest rowing race in the world – Brian is in constant contact with the rowers and said: ‘They have crossed the half way mark but this is when the challenge really starts to tell on them. You are physically exhausted, missing home and having been continually damp for over a month with no skin left on your hands, it’s hard to remain motivated.
Chris and Elliott are demonstrating a remarkable courage and determination to succeed despite all that the elements have decided to throw at them. As there are just two of them it makes it not just harder physically, but also mentally too. As they spend no time together – as one sleeps, the other one rows – they cannot support one another and it can be an extremely lonely time. I admire their courage wholeheartedly and you cannot help but be in awe of this incredible feat.’
Check out how they rowed en route here: