Atlantic solo rower starts to progress

TEN DAYS into his attempt to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and Seán McGowan was finally making appreciable and steady progress yesterday.

The 41-year-old Limerick man had a succession of difficulties over the first week as he fought to move south to catch favourable winds. A wave which hit his boat, Tess, from the side broke two oars and a gate (which holds oars in place); he then had a bout of seasickness and was pushed east when his para-anchor collapsed.

More worryingly in the longer-term, batteries have not been recharging properly and his satellite phone has been malfunctioning. This has not just limited human contact, but also hampered his ability to download weather forecasts.

McGowan’s position in the race from La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua initially reflected his difficulties. But by yesterday, after three solid days (33, 26 and 33 nautical miles bitten off the 2,548 to Antigua), he had passed one solo oarsman and was closing on a second.

Seven of the 30 boats in the Woodvale-sponsored race are solo oarsmen. Remarkably, one, 47-year-old Englishman Charlie Pitcher in JJ (Insure and Go), leads the field, which also includes 20 pairs and three fours.

Pitcher plans to do the Marathon des Sables in April, and thereby become the first person to complete what he describes as “the toughest foot race on Earth” and “the world’s toughest rowing race” in the same year.

The weather may have blitzed much of the sporting action back at home, but UCD again trumped the conditions. A group which has been training in Seville completes their camp this weekend.

Rowing action here picks up over the next few weeks. The Kerry Head of the River is set for Saturday week, while the County Wexford indoor rowing championship in the Ferrycarrig hotel is fixed for the following day.