News

We are 55.7 miles from Start Point. We’ll have to stop in a few hours (5-6ish) because of the tides but we’ll be underway again around9-10pm…Physically tough day but good progress made…We’re pleased but wonder how much longer we can sustain this level of effort…No idea what time we might be around Salcombe or when. Jase

With a favourable tail wind in exactly the right direction, the leading teams are now well on their way to Portland Bill and on to cross Lyme Bay. Race leaders the Islanders are now nudging ahead of the 2005 World Record pace.

Remaining well out at sea, they have avoided the treacherous waters around Portland which stalled one of the 2010 teams for over 12 hours. In his Captain’s Blog, David Hosking of second placed Team Hallin reports that yesterday’s waters around the South of the Isle of Wight proved challenging, but the team were able to maintain a good rhythm. Hallin are also close to matching the 2005 world record pace.

So far no team has chosen to go through the busy waters of the Solent, where four tides a day can either give rowers a major boost or a serious handicap, depending on timing. It looks as if fourth placed Pure Gym considered it, but they are now heading down the southwestern coast of the Isle of Wight.

Fourth placed mens pair Savoir Faire are now off the Sussex coast and will be approaching the Isle of Wight and that ‘Solent or southside’ decision later this morning, while womens pair The Coast Girls are still battling along the top of Kent against a wind that will be in their favour just as soon as they can turn the corner at Margate. Come on girls, you’re almost there! Check out Sally’s voice blog telling of their gritted determination to get to the next stage.

Today is going to be an exciting day with favourable conditions and race leaders close to each other and to the World Record time.

June 03 09.00 BLOG from Heather Rees-Gaunt of Oarsome Adventures on Boudica. Oarsome Adventures are back in the race! We told you we wouldn’t give up. After hours of trials and tribulations and some Playschool repairs, our skipper Mikey Buckley got the water maker working at last. The crew had their first cup of coffee this morning, since leaving London on Saturday. Sam Clemmens was the poor man who tasted the water and drank quite a bit of sea water. But now we have lovely fresh water.

The auto helm as also been repaired, using a piece of metal from the flagpole! While the repairs were going on we couldn’t use one of the cabins and it was a bit cramped on deck, while the crew were rowing. We are now back in our routine and we’re hunting down Hallin Marine 2 who are in second place.

Baby dolphins have been swimming around Boudica. It’s a wonderful world today. We’re all thoroughly enjoying being at sea.

The crew of Oarsome Adventures have had their first cup of coffee since leaving Tower Bridge 48 hours ago! After hours of battling, the watermaker on Boudica has been repaired. Skipper Mikey Buckley also fixed the autohelm, using a piece of the boat’s flagpole.