Trouble-hit rowers have end in sight (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Trouble-hit rowers have end in sight

10:45am Wednesday 21st February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Novice rowers who ran out of food on a 3,000 mile fundraising trip are nearing the end of their epic trip.

Swindon man Stuart Turnbull and Edward Baylis, from Wimborne, are hoping to break the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing without support.

They are expected to reach their last destination, Antigua, tomorrow or early Friday.

The pair are rowing to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

They set off from La Gomera in the Canaries on December 20 last year, to row unsupported across the Atlantic in their 24-foot plywood boat with two oars.

Treacherous weather, including 40ft high waves, delayed their attempt and the inexperienced rowers found themselves running out of food and living on starvation rations.

As supplies ran dry they contacted the Ocean Rowing Society who arranged a life-saving rendezvous with a pair of Dutch rowers last Wednesday.

After "eating like kings" the rowers restocked their supplies and continued in an effort to complete the journey, which has raised more than £200,000 for Cancer Research UK.