Annie Januszewski and Mel King are not afraid of a challenge! This exhausting race see?s plucky rowers from around the world converge at La Gomera in the Canary Islands for the start of a blister inducing row-a-thon to Antigua in the Caribbean.
Competing in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, these girls defied all the odds to make it to the start line on the 4th January and are now underway on their effort to break the World record attempt by reaching Antigua in less than 75 days. Currently positioned in 10th place out of 30 teams, the brave twosome will be encountering 35 foot waves, sharks and extreme tiredness, but they are unwavering in their commitment to complete the gruelling 2,800 mile journey in record time. ????
Originally part of a foursome, the girls decided to go it alone after their two male team mates pulled out with just weeks until the start of the race ? in fact their sheer determination to continue is down to the boys? comment that they would never reach the starting line! Losing two of their team was only the start of their troubles as financial problems threatened to end their dream before it had even begun. Rowing in the only leased boat competing in the race, never has the term ?adventure on a shoe string? been so apt.
Although the girls have rowed tirelessly for the last 23 days and with another possible 53 to go, it?s the finish line which may prove to be the final hurdle. With dwindling finances once they reach Antigua it will be a whole new challenge to find somewhere to stay on the Caribbean Island or in fact arrange their travel back home to the UK.
Explore?s Partnerships Manager, Paul Bondsfield says: ?Annie & Mel are just incredible despite the enormous task ahead of them they are focused, very cheerful and incredibly confident. These girls are following their dream; despite the fact they have no way of returning home after completing such a gruelling race and I urge the public to follow their online blogs, offer their support and donate some pennies to both Macmillan and the girls own fund in honour of their determination?.
Explore is supporting their Atlantic attempt, recognising that the spirit driving Annie & Mel to achieve their dream is the same that many of their customers exhibit on some of their more challenging tours such as climbing Kilimanjaro or trekking through the Venezuelan jungle. To show support Explore had their own ?Row-a-Thon? in their offices in Farnborough. ?Team Ocean? and ?Team Atlantic? went head-to-head in a day-long battle to row a total of 122,315 metres in 10 hours, with ?Team Atlantic? taking the title. With one or two blisters of their own Explore staff were shocked to learn that their efforts were just a ?drop in the ocean? compared to what our two girls in a boat will face, having rowed just 1/36th or 2.5% of the distance across the Atlantic.
Sponsor the girls, follow their entertaining blogs and keep updated on their progress through Explore?s website: http://www.explore.co.uk/atlanticrowers
Ends ? 27th January 2010
Press: For further information, images, comment or to talk to Annie or Mel, contact Kimberly Rogers at Explore on 012152 379 505.
Established in 1981, Explore is the world?s leading small group adventure holiday company. Its specialist programmes include family adventures (including solo-parent, teenage and toddler tours), short breaks, discovery, wildlife & safari, cycling, walking & trekking, natural wonders, multi activity holidays, rail journeys, boat journeys including polar voyages, history & archaeology, in-style, solar eclipse and festival tours - while Tailormade Explore (http://www.tailormadeexplore.co.uk) creates bespoke trips with total flexibility ? of accommodation, timing and itinerary ? for those who prefer to travel independently.
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