In just few days time, Xavier Baker, Paul Berry and Chris Mannion, three Islanders who have been rowing across the Atlantic Ocean as team Mermaid Atlantic, will be crossing the finish line in Antigua.
Several teams have already completed the race, the winners — HMS Oardacious, a five-man team from the Royal Navy — taking the honours on Wednesday 17th January.
Challenging conditions
Now on day 42 of rowing and having covered 2,465 nautical miles, the Mermaid team have conquered many challenges over the course of the last six weeks.
Not least losing their dagger board in day two of the race, meaning that they’ve had to row at a slower pace during rough seas, as the boat’s stability is compromised.
The team also had a 2am near-miss with a huge tanker and have battled 4m high waves and torrential rain.
Watch the arrival live
The estimated arrival of Mermaid Atlantic keeps changing, but is currently this Saturday (27th Jan at 13:18 UTC ) and it’s great to know that we can all watch it on YouTube live through the World’s Toughest Row’s YouTube channel.
Follow the race
In the meantime, keep up to date with their expected arrival time on the YB Races app or head to the World’s Toughest Row’s website.
Donate now
Follow the lads on Facebook or Instagram and if you can, make sure you show your support by donating via GiveWheel.
The money raised will go towards the three charities they are supporting in this row, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust.
Busy fundraisers
At time of publishing, they have raised £12,264.80 plus £966.25 in Gift Aid.
£280 has been raised through selling Mermaid Atlantic T-shirts at Blakes Tea Hut and a whopping £866 collected in the charity pot at the Tea Hut too!
£352.50 has been raised thanks to ‘Lou T’ who kindly hand-knitted beautiful seahorses for sale in Blakes Tea Hut, and £550 was raised from selling Sea Themed cushions and bags sold at Blakes Tea Hut, kindly handmade and donated by Lynne.
Local author, Steve Jones, has raised £160 from selling nature and wildlife books that he’s written and published, donating all funds to the pot. And more than £150 raised through the sale of sea-themed jewellery made by Paul’s Mum, Sophie, sold at the Longshoreman’s Museum.
