A British rower will hit the record books today - even though he is
still as far from his destination as when he started. Andrew Halsey, 45,
left Peru for Australia 72 days ago and is exactly the same distance
from Brisbane as when he set off. He will today break the world record
for covering the least distance in the most time at sea in a rowing
boat, despite covering 2,300 miles in 72 days. The epileptic rower from
London, in his second attempt to row solo across the Pacific, is caught
in the grip of contrary winds and currents. Despite leaving Peru on
November 25, he is still a gruelling 8,108 miles from his destination.
The journey should take around 297 days - nine or ten months - which is
what Mr Halsey's boat is stocked for, but he said yesterday that he
would not give up and expected to be at sea in his 25ft boat at least
until July. The previous record for the least distance covered in the
most time at sea in a rowing boat was held by fellow Briton Peter Bird
who in 1993 covered just 11 miles in one month during a journey which
eventually lasted 304 days. Mr Bird attempted to row the Pacific seven
times, only once successfully, and died in 1996 when his boat was
smashed in a storm. Mr Halsey's mother Barbara has spoken to her son
almost daily via satellite phone. She said today: "I have absolute
confidence in him. He's experienced and knows what to do. He's in good
spirits and feels he'll be on track shortly. "He won't take any risks,
if he feels he can't continue he will stop. Obviously I'm worried but
not too much at the moment." Mr Halsey, who has had four epileptic
seizures since his journey began, has travelled over 2,300 miles since
setting out from Callao, but the currents are pushing him towards Costa
Rica and he is daily increasing the distance between his boat and
Australia. Kenneth F. Crutchlow, from the London-based Ocean Rowing
Society of which Andrew is a member, said: "We admire his spirit, he's
upbeat and determined to carry on. "It has been his life goal and one
has to feel for him. "It's unbelievable how unlucky he's been a second
time, but he's certainly proved he's got tenacity. "What's particularly
frustrating is that this is his second attempt. He wants to let it be
known that people with epilepsy can still do things and lead a normal
life. "It's a shame to see a man travel 2,300 miles and for him to know
that he's got absolutely nowhere toward his final destination. "Whether
he'll get out of it or not only time will tell." |
