Race leaders The Islanders have begun the long journey north in GBRow2013, the world’s toughest rowing race.
Skippered by Josh Taylor, 24, the four-man team rounded the Lizard at the southern tip of Cornwall just after 1800 hours.
They began the 20-mile row across Mount Bay, passing St Michael’s Mount and Penzance to Land’s End, where they will turn, right into the Celtic Sea and then onto the Irish Sea.
Will the Islanders for the east coast of Ireland, home of crew member Gavin Sheehan?
Or, with easterly winds forecast until Monday, will kipper Taylor, from Mersea Island, Essex, keep the Islander’s boat, the Black Oyster close to the north coast of Cornwall and Devon until those south-westerlies arrive next week, to help drive them up the Irish Sea and into Scottish waters?
Nearest rival David Hosking, and his Team Hallin crew, appeared to be on a course that would take their boat, Hallin Marine II, further out from shore but just before 7pm they turned towards Land’s End, 11 miles behind the Islanders.
Oarsome Adventures in third place – also well ahead of World Record pace – may also pass Land’s End before dawn tomorrow.
The other team of four in the race, Pure Gym, currently in 4th place 90 miles behind the leaders, are tonight heading towards Start Point, near Plymouth.
Jason McKinlay and Josh Tarr, the men’s pair in Savoir Fair, have dropped anchor five miles from Portland Bill, waiting for the tide to turn in their favour. Jason is sleeping, while Josh has just posted a new blog.
Talking of blogs, check out the emotional voice blog sent by Sally Kettle of the Coast Girls, expressing her relief that after four tortuous days they have finally escaped the Thames estuary and are now in the Dover Strait, looking forwards to a tail wind to propel them along the South Coast.