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Intrepid duo begin their Atlantic attempt
TWO Yorkshire rowers have finally set off on a 3,000-mile challenge to cross the Atlantic Ocean after months of practice off the Whitby coast.
Alex Macdonald (23) and Luke Grose (24) from Settle, have raised more than 50,000 in sponsorship to buy and equip their handmade 23ft wooden rowing boat, JCT600 Yorkshire Challenger, and have trained for over two years in preparation for the epic Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race.
Originally scheduled to leave the island of La Gomera near Tenerife for the finish line at Antigua on 6 December last year, the fleet of 30 boats finally started the race at 1.30pm on Monday.
The had to contend with a number of delays caused by hurricane force winds and dangerous weather.
Now the pair face 50ft waves, busy shipping lanes and curious whales as well as the mental and physical challenges of rowing for 12 hours each day for more than a month.
Known as the world’s toughest rowing race, the Woodvale Atlantic has been completed by fewer people than have climbed Mount Everest and the rowers aim to break the existing world record for the crossing of 40 days.
The duo have hundreds of followers on their pages on Facebook, and are planning to send images and blogs via their Team JCT600 website from their boat during the crossing.
Supporters can catch up with regular blogs from the rowers, as well as track their position in the race at www.TeamJCT600.com
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Weather for Whitby
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
