The Best Week Yet!
After changing to a more sustainable shift pattern, the team expected to be happier and healthier but they also expected to be slower as a result. They were wrong though…
Last week we mentioned that the team were making themselves ill with an unsustainable shift pattern of 90 mins rowing, 30 mins off, 24 hrs per day. They changed that pattern to a much more sustainable one, expecting to be happier and healthier, but also slower. They were wrong… this has been the best week yet!
In terms of mileage; they’ve rowed further, sickness has become a thing of the past, and they’re the happiest they’ve been since the beginning of this incredible crossing! Getting more sleep has helped their bodies recover, and has made them stronger on the oars when they row.
Head-to-head
The crew are currently embroiled in a head to head race with a team called Wrekin Rowers – they’ve changed positions three times today and the competition is really helping them to focus on the task in hand. With both teams rowing between 70 and 74 nautical miles a day, it’s certainly close.
Now with just 1100 miles remaining – their minds are immersed in that first meal and first drink in Antigua!
Further south than 2020
There has been some discussion about how much further south the fleet have gone this year in comparison to previous years.
This image shows the fleets from 2020 and 2021 at the same time in the race. White is 2020, red is 2021. The fleet has made a general shift of roughly 130NM further south this year.
Why? This is simply to do with the weather. There is a huge low pressure to the north causing waves/fronts of bad weather south across the Atlantic, and the teams are trying to get further south to avoid it. Clearly there’s a limit to how far south the teams will go to avoid weather, its a balancing act, but so far it’s paid off.
Just a reminder that the trio are taking on this phenomenal row in order to raise money for charity. Alabaré provides homes for veterans that have fallen on hard times, and at this time of the year when it’s so cold, it's particularly key they get the support they need. You can support them by donating here.
