DUBAI: The Arabian Ocean Rowing Team have passed the final checkpoint in their ambitious attempt to become the first UAE-flagged boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean unsupported and unassisted.
The three-person team had rowed about 3,463 km in 29 days at sea by Monday night, after battling storms, 15-meter waves, extreme heat, and close calls with cargo ships.
The team are active for 24 hours a day on a rota of two hours of rowing and one hour’s rest in a boat a little bigger than the average family car.
They are completely self-reliant, carrying all the food, medical supplies and equipment they need to complete what is expected to be a 50 to 60-day crossing.
Toby Gregory, team founder and captain for the crossing, said: “Given the extreme weather conditions we have faced, I couldn’t be more proud of our team.
“No matter what has come our way we have never given up. It’s been the ultimate team effort”.
The UN’s Clean Seas initiative has partnered Gregory and his team on their journey, part of which involves the crew taking samples from the ocean as they travel.
Gregory added: “There is an abundance of life in our ocean. It’s a magical place and one which must be protected.
“I have seen first hand plastics and pollution in the middle of our oceans. It’s heartbreaking to see.
“We all have a collective responsibility to stop this, and by working together I’m sure we can.”
The team are currently four days ahead of schedule and should arrive in Antigua between Jan. 24 and 29.
Arabian Ocean Rowing Team pass final checkpoint in historic Atlantic adventure
https://arab.news/y9rqu
Arabian Ocean Rowing Team pass final checkpoint in historic Atlantic adventure
- UAE-based crew have rowed almost 3,500 km in 29 days
Biker Edgar Canet enjoys dream Dakar start
- ‘I was super fast and super happy with this feeling. It’s the best way to start the rally’
YANBU: Spaniard Edgar Canet made a dream Dakar Rally debut on Saturday when the 20-year-old rookie topped the times in the prologue of motorsport’s most grueling event in Saudi Arabia.
The KTM factory rider ended the 22 km ride around Yanbu three seconds clear of teammate and defending champion Daniel Sanders with Honda’s American rider Ricky Brabec, the 2024 winner, five seconds adrift.
“I was super fast and super happy with this feeling. It’s the best way to start the rally,” said Canet.
Sanders was relieved to get his title defense up and running.
“Happy to be here at the start line and get the prologue done. It was a lot faster than expected, but not so technical, so it was hard to make up time,” the Australian said.
“It was full gas the whole time, so I’m sure there were really close times. It’s good to get that out of the way and get into a stage tomorrow.”
In the car category, Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar did the best of the big names, crossing eight seconds adrift in fourth. Defending champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Saudi Arabia was 14sec off the pace.
