Race leaders the Islanders are now just 12 miles away from the Norfolk coastline after a solid morning’s rowing. They should soon be in less exposed waters, having cut across the corner of the North Sea in a near straight line from Flamborough Head over the last 24 hours.
Their speed is currently just 1.2 knots despite a 7.7 knot tailwind, emphasising just how tough it is for even a 4 man crew to keep powering in as they have done for the last day as they chase the world record in the final few days of the race.
Meanwhile, further north after a storming start to their next leg of their journey with favourable winds and tides, Savoir Faire made great progress earlier today along the north coast of Scotland. They are now just 14 nautical miles from John O’Groats, but progress has slowed over the past couple of hours as the tide turned, forcing them to seek shelter in Dunnet Bay.
In a phone call a few minutes ago Josh Tarr told us that they plan to start rowing again at 21.00 this evening to hit the flood tide at John O’Groats around midnight and maintain their position well ahead of the 2 man world record.