Atlantic Nomads Make Great Headway
After a flying start, the team work with the weather and currents to optimise their track and enhance their position.
By day two, the team had covered an incredible 119 nautical miles but possibly looked a little off course. So you may be wondering why aren't they just rowing directly towards Antigua?
That's to do with the trade winds. The general prevailing winds and currents tend to head south and then sweep round to the West, and using the wind and currents will make a huge difference to their speed, so it's worth putting in the effort to get south now, so that they can take advantage of the conditions.
As Tom, Taylor and James continued their fantastic progress, some dot watchers noticed that another crew were getting pretty close. Seeing another rowing boat in the race is very unusual but from about 6 foot above the water's surface (roughly their eye line), they can see around 2.5 nautical miles before the curvature of the earth blocks their view, so it is possible that they may catch a glimpse of the other rowing team.
For now all eyes are on the weather this weekend as it could potentially throw its first curve ball into the mix. It's not a very clear picture but the team may find themselves with wind blowing in the opposite direction to what they want... which would be quite rubbish. Hopefully they will be south enough to potentially minimise the impact of this change of conditions.
The forecast is changing daily at this stage but the team's weather router is keeping a close eye on it and will update them each day on the best plan of action.
Watch this space.
Just a reminder that the trio are taking on this phenomenal row in order to help provide Homes for Veterans through the charity Alabare. You can support them by donating here.
* Credit to Atlantic Campaigns for the header image.
