News

All but 2 crews are making progress towards Antigua now that the area of low pressure has passed – resulting in a rejuvenated fleet with following winds and seas forecast for the next week. While a rest has been good for the bodies, it hasn’t helped the mind knowing that the distance to the finish isn’t getting closer.

The last 24 hours has seen crews row 650nm towards the finish, and over the coming days the mileage will show whether crews can get back on for the records they were hoping to break. Dream Maker, crewed by Mick Birchall and Lia Ditton were making great headway on the mixed pairs record of 51 days, but following the recent weather set back they are now along way behind this record and will need to row in excess of 70nm per day to break this.

Charlie Pitcher looks to be the first to make the halfway point in the race. If he continues at his current latitude, he should cross 39 30W by 1600hrs on 02 February 2010 and will have 1274nm between himself and English Harbour, Antigua. He has managed to row at an extraordinary pace – partly due to his revolutionary design, but take nothing away from his preparation and determination to get where his is now.

Competitors from past races will know that ground made can easily be ground lost – crews have lost in excess of 100nm in just days when caught in bad weather and so while the progress board has steadied out in the last 2 weeks, don’t be fooled into thinking it will remain how it is. The race is still young and anything could yet happen.

Britannia III steadily continue, having covered 66nm yesterday. She has just under 650nm to go and based on current speed should make land within 10 days. While this is outside the record it would represent a phenomenal achievement for her and her crew.