News

The seventh full week at sea in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009 has been a relatively quiet one.  This may be down to the better weather conditions or just the result of intermittent communications, as the harsh salty and wet Indian Ocean conditions start to take their toll on the satellite telephone systems.

It’s not just the telephones that are suffering as anything electrical – watermakers, batteries, laptops and AIS Radar Transponders are all adding to the list of daily chores, requiring constant maintenance to keep them running long enough to enable each team to finish the race safely.

All competitors have got to know their watermakers inside out; every O ring, membrane, nut and bolt, as stripping down these units becomes an all too regular occurrence.  Finishing the race is not now just about human stamina but also the stamina and durability of the vital electrical equipment onboard.

For one competitor in particular the thought of loosing his source of communication with the outside world is not something he relishes but it is fast becoming an all too real possibility.  Solo rower, Simon Prior relies on his satellite telephone as a way to share his lows and highs during the race with another person.  The Indian Ocean rowing experience can be a lonely one especially when you have no one else to share it with.

Although Boat No. 7 ‘Bexhill Trust Challenger’ continue to lead the race, the gap between them and the next boat in the fleet, out of class eight man boat, Boat No. 88 ‘Aud Eamus has closed over the past week by 70 nautical miles to just 106 nautical miles.  As Aud Eamus is racing out of class and competing only against themselves and time, they pose no threat to Bexhill Trust Challenger’s lead.

The second placed boat has changed yet again as the Ocean Angels onboard Boat No. 13 ‘Pura Vida’ retake second place back from Boat No. 5 ‘Rowing for Prostate’, but only just with a slim gap of just 3 nautical miles.  However, 321 nautical miles behind the race leaders, the girls have it all to do to put themselves back on top in pole position.

Further down the fleet, Boat No. 6 ‘Flying Ferkins’ continue to lead the race between the two Pairs Class Boats and have marginally extended the gap between themselves and Boat No. 9 ‘Southern Cross’ to 64 nautical miles.  Both Pairs Class boats and the one remaining Solo entry, Boat No. 3 ‘Old Mutual Endurance’ are now well under the 2,000nm to go mark and are now fast approaching the half way milestone.

For the latest positions of all the boats competing in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009, please go to the Progress Page on this site.