Atlantic rowers from Shropshire celebrate Christmas on the sea
While most of the county tucked into Christmas dinner in their homes or in restaurants, a team of women rowers celebrated on the Atlantic.
Three women are attempting to cross the Atlantic in a £50,000 boat, starting from San Sebastian de La Gomera in the Canary Islands.
They are one of 28 teams competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
The Atlantic Ladies team comprises of retired NHS worker Dianne Carrington from Pontesbury, Shrewsbury midwife Sharon Magrath and lawyer Elaine Theaker from Abergavenny.
They are aiming to complete the 3,000 mile trip to Antigua in record time.
The team had rowed 334 nautical miles on Christmas morning, and were singing 12 Days of Christmas, replacing words with others such as “bruises, green turtles and dolphins”.
The team has enjoyed Christmas cake on board, which reminds them of home, according to a spokeswoman.
Angie Norman said: “The Christmas cake they have on board is a real winner, they are delighted to have it with them- packed full of calories, tastes of home and it stays down!”
Angie added that the weather has been “hugely challenging” for the women as the easterly wind drives large waves over the boat.
During the row, the group is hoping to break three world records as Dianne will be the oldest woman to row across the Atlantic – the current record being 57 – as she will be 61 when she takes on the challenge.
They also believe they are the only crew of three females to row any ocean and hope to be the fastest crew of three females to row any ocean.
Teams from around the world have been in training for up to two years in preparation for the gruelling race.
To follow the progress of the Atlantic Ladies go to taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/2017racetracker
