A 60-year-old is getting ready to single-handedly tackle the ‘world’s hardest row’ throughout the Atlantic with the backing of music icon Sir Elton John.
‘Atlantic Rocketman’ Andrew Main is about to row 3,000 miles from the small island of La Gomera, simply off Tenerife, to the English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda in a gruelling problem that’s anticipated to take as much as 60 days at sea.
The Briton, who has already raised greater than £12,000 for the Elton John Aids Basis, will probably be spending 18 hours a day rowing by way of the world’s most difficult waters, with violent storms and waves of as much as 40 ft, in a feat he hopes he is ready to full in two months.
He was compelled to promote his luxurious automotive and re-mortgage a part of his home to fund the prices of the problem, along with his rowing boat alone – named Jazzy after his spouse – put him £75,000 out of pocket.
Each Sir John and husband David Furnish are supporting the rower’s efforts to lift cash for his or her basis, even offering written permission for the 60-year-old to make use of the title ‘Atlantic Rocketman’.
‘Atlantic Rocketman’ Andrew Main shakes palms with Gary from Rannoch Journey who helps him put together for the lengthy journey with an electrics course so he could make use of the photo voltaic panels on his boat
Mr Main has shared pictures of himself on social media coaching for the voyage
The route will see Mr Main row 3,000 miles from the small island of La Gomera, simply off Tenerife, to the English Harbour in Antigua and Barbuda
Whereas most contributors compete in pairs, trios or fours, the 60-year-old from Portsmouth has determined to embark on the problem solo
On the finish of July he shared {a photograph} on Instagram which confirmed his pre delivery inspection with Fraser Mowlem from the Atlantic Campaigns Security Staff
Talking of the row, which begins in December, Mr Main mentioned: ‘I’ve by no means carried out something like this earlier than. I am a marathon runner, and I’ve rode on rivers earlier than however nothing like this’
Whereas most contributors compete in pairs, trios or fours, the 60-year-old from Portsmouth has determined to embark on the problem solo.
Talking of the row, which begins in December, he mentioned: ‘I’ve by no means carried out something like this earlier than. I am a marathon runner, and I’ve rode on rivers earlier than however nothing like this.
‘It is referred to as the world’s hardest row for a motive. It will take round 18 hours of rowing every day and you must row by way of heavy rain, violent storms and waves of as much as 40 ft.
‘I realised just lately that I used to be experiencing the early indicators of burnout and it was creeping and insidious. So I made a decision to do one thing for myself. To place myself first for as soon as.
‘And I needed to do it for a terrific trigger, and the Elton John Aids Basis has carried out fantastic issues.’
The race throughout the Atlantic will start from La Gomera on December 12, with greater than 40 groups competing, although solely seven will probably be doing it solo.
Mr Main added: ‘It’s brutal. Final 12 months, somebody died after having a coronary heart assault and the remainder of the staff of 4 needed to be rescued.
‘I am predicting it will take me between 40 to 60 days to finish. It means I will be gone for Christmas, which my spouse is kind of upset about, however I’ve mentioned I need everybody on the end line in Antigua to have fun.’
