News
Statement from Solo Rower, Simon Prior
Solo Rower, Simon Prior sends the following statement from the race support vessel regarding his very difficult decision made last Wednesday, to retire from the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.
"Here I am onboard the race support vessel and I’m most grateful for the kindness, warmth and empathy that the crew have shown to me upon collecting me from my rowing boat, Old Mutual Endurance. The last 54 days have been, if anything, an amazing experience with highs and lows in equal measures. Very sadly I have fallen short of the target that I set myself and I’m distraught that Mauritius never came into view.
The whole project of rowing an ocean is an enormous undertaking; physically, mentally, financially and logistically. I have learnt so much about every aspect of myself and of the seas.
The oceans are vast, phenomenal places, offering the most peaceful solitude and the most humbling of extreme seas. The ongoing issues with my watermaker and rudder lines sealed my fate. The watermaker continually failed and all storage and drinking containers became contaminated with mould, impairing my already weakened body. The rudder lines also continued to cause issues and in hindsight were never strong enough for the forces upon them.
The rudder lines broke four times in total and without sufficient spare rope to replace the lines, I was unable to steer the boat adequately. With these issues ongoing, I was finding myself sadly repairing items 3-4 hours everyday and with the days already ticking by my spirit was finally broken.
The support boat turned up just after sunrise on day 54 and the feeling of leaving Old Mutual was obviously quite emotional, having put two years of my life in to 54 days of my attempt.
The boys on the race support vessel have been absolutely amazing and I can only thank them for the kindness and professionalism they have shown. It now looks likely that I will remain onboard the support boat for the next month, before I am able to fly home".