Sam sets pace as solo rowers face tough test

This past week has seen low pressure hit the World’s Toughest Row fleet. This has now passed the lead elements but is still causing difficulties for the crews in the rear of the fleet.
The northernmost crews had a steady 25 knots gusting 35 and 3.5m swells all pushing south. During the night conditions were brutal with crews getting pinned and turned around. Conditions are now pushing south west on a good line.
In the south crews had slightly less severe conditions but some were still forced to go on to para-anchor briefly to rest and gather themselves. These crews are now making an almost direct line to Antigua.
In the rear of the fleet crews have faced northerlies but also westerlies. This has meant para-anchor and tough rowing. They should continue to push south to avoid westerlies next week.
The 38 competing crews, 11 solos, eight pairs, six trios, 12 fours and one five, includes one rower from Devon, Sam Glover from Lynmouth rowing solo. The five-boat crew of ‘HMS Oardacious’ with the crew Rob Clarke, Daniel Seager, Mike Forrester, Ian Allen and Mathew Main are all Royal Navy submariners and crew members Rob Clarke and Mike Forrester have a link to Torbay through their Royal Navy service. Rob was an Assistant Marine Engineer Officer and Mike, currently a Commander, both having served on the now decommissioned submarine HMS Torbay.
Sam Glover aboard ‘The Entrepreneur Ship’, who is currently in 15th place, leads the solos, and is expected to arrive in Antigua before the end of the month. ‘HMS Oardacious’ currently lead the race by over 100 miles and are expected to arrive in Antigua around January 17 or 18.
News from ‘HMS Oardacious’ is that they have been experiencing some cross winds which were making it a little challenging. Now though, the wind, and the currents are fully behind them.
The crew have really lived this row in the best possible way. They've been incredibly competitive, maintaining a shift pattern throughout of around 2.5 hours on, 1.5 hours off, and they are on course to win this race. But they've not done it at the expense of missing out on the adventure. They've taken time to watch the stars and taken time to be mesmerised by the whales.
Last week I mentioned the Blue Marlin ‘strike’ on the boat of ‘Vibe the Wave’. It has now been discovered that the two Graces and Maddie used an empty champagne bottle from their Christmas and New Year celebrations to plug the hole in the hull!