Skip to main content

Heads Together and Row: Day 6

Day 6 Justin Ali mtime20181217135931

We've had another update from Heads Together and Row on day 6 of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - including this photo of Justin and Ali on the oars.

"Happy Monday everyone! We're doing fine - just taking some getting used to but then it's supposed to be tough!!!

"The nights are long and except for the reflection of the International Space Station we can see no horizon, waves, nothing really - just darkness. This leads to seasickness for a couple of us and fatigue for all. It’s really hard not to fall asleep on the oars and very surreal when you find yourself chatting away to people who you know aren’t there.

"It takes a couple of hours of sunlight for all of us to snap out of it. But the days are good. It's an odd existence. A nice bird comes to play with us daily - we've named her Betty. Always brings new hope!

"Looking forward to that one week milestone, and to turning West towards Antigua. We know the sound logic of heading south (where trade winds are stronger and the current is much faster) but we're just keen to start eating away the miles towards Antigua! Speaking of eating - it's hard. Hard to stomach and to find the time. Trying to prioritise rowing, then sleeping, then looking after hygiene (I for one have a sore bum!) leaves little time for cooking and eating. In fact we haven't yet heated a single meal and are just re-hydrating them with cold water.

"Checking on our position we think we're towards the back of the main back of fours - as expected in our pure class boat* which is going to be a little slower than the concept boats. That said, we're getting into our stride and still aim to give some of them a run for their money!

Toby x"

*To explain, a pure class boat is the original style of ocean rowing boat with a V-shaped hull (the body/bottom of the boat). Concept boats are a newer design, with a flat bottom which enables rowers to surf the waves. Because of this they tend to complete the crossing several days faster.

Day-6-night-row.jpg?mtime=20181218104135#asset:106753

Here's a photo of the team rowing at night.

As of 1600 GMT on day 6, here’s how the team are getting on:

Position: 24 degrees 52.19 N, 020 degrees 44.56 W

Speed/Direction: 2.3 knots @ 218 degrees

Distance to go: 2337.5 Nautical Miles (2689.9 Miles)

12th in Fours crews

18th overall

Henley Business School is working with Heads Together and Row on a research project looking at individual and team resilience. Click here to find out more.

Published 17 December 2018