|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
25th January 2012
LYME REGIS: Coming home to a heroes' welcomeAtlantic rowers in the record books By Philip Evans
IT took them 48 days, eight hours and three minutes to row across the Atlantic and into the record books. They crossed the finishing line in “The Spirit of Corinth” just off Barbados at 8.03pm but didn’t arrive in port until around 10.30pm. Suffering from rowers’claw and a few salt sores, the four intrepid oarsmen from Lyme Regis, looking a bit like outcasts from “Robinson Crusoe”, headed straight to a local bar for a cold beer and a slap-up steak meal. The Corinthians had conquered the Atlantic - the oldest crew ever to do so - and secured their place for ever more in the seafaring folklore of Lyme Regis. As they were still battling with tough final leg conditions on Sunday afternoon, a crowd of wellwishers, including family members, gathered at the Cobb to cheer their heroes across the finishing line 4,000 miles away in the Caribbean. Later a firework was let off to signify the their safe arrival. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is recognised as one of the toughest feats achievable by man but The Corinthians - Chris Walters, Elliott Dale, Tony Short and Brian Fletcher, combined age 231 - did it and some. Leaving La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 5th, they made a fantastic start and led the field for the first 18 hours. They were hampered after their automatic helm was damaged, dropped down to seventh place but fought back to finish a creditable sixth out of the 11 boats still in the race. In doing so, they actually rowed 2,645 nautical miles, 54 miles more than the winning boat. Had their automatic steering not been damaged, it is thought they could well have finished as high as third place. Some family members were in Barbados to greet them and the crew members are expected home to a heroes welcome, The boat, which cost £65,000 to buy and equip, should return tonthese shores in four to six weeks. The gathering at the Cobb on Sunday afternoon was organised by freelance journalist and public relations expert Geoff Baker and his partner, Jill Newton.
They produced a huge sign saying “Heroes” and encouraged wellwishers to congregate on the North Wall at 4 pm, the expected time of arrival, so that their presence could be captured on the Cobb webcam. They returned again later in the evening to let off a firework when The Corinthians actually crossed the finishing line.
Among those joining in the celebrations on the Cobb were the Mayor, keen sailor Sally Holman, and Andrew Pocock, who has acted as team administrator for the “Spirit of Corinth”.
Fine spirits
Mr Pocock told the View from Lyme Regis that he had spoken to The Corinthians early in the day and they were in “fine spirits”.
“They are fit and well but suffering from rowers’ claw, which is not unusual, and a few salt sores,” he said. “Their spirits have been high from day one, although they were a bit down when facing the 50 to 60 feet waves.
“One thing is for sure. They will definitely be able to make their own way to the nearest bar when they land for a cold beer!”
Mr Pocock said the whole venture had cost over £100,000, which had been raised through sponsorship, fundraising and personal contributions by the rowers themselves.
They were planning to sell the boat for around £40,000 and were hopeful of raising a considerable amount for their two charities - Shelterbox and the British Heart Foundation.
Mr Pocock added that he had already applied to the Guiness Book of Records for two records - the oldest man to row across the Atlantic (Tony Short, 67) and one for the oldest combined crew.
The Mayor is in discussion with Mr Pocock on how to mark The Coronthians’ “magnificent achievement” in a suitable fashion. They will certainly feature prominently in Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June and Lyme’s Olympic Torch Day on July 12th.
Councillor Holman said: “We will ensure that this wonderful achievement is marked in a fitting fashion.”
PICTURE 1: WELLWISHERS, including family members, gathered on the North Wall on Sunday evening to cheer on The Corinthians as they crossed the Atlantic Challenge finishing line in Barbados. Photo by FRANCESCA EVANS
PICTURE 2: TUCKING IN - The Corinthians enjoy their first proper meal in 48 days after arriving in Barbados
 
CommentsThere are no comments yet. Be the first to add one below. Add new commentReturn to news headlines | |||||||||||||||
 
|
|||||||||||||||
