Lyme Regis: Atlantic rowers off to flying start

The Corinthians – Brian Fletcher, Chris Walters, Tony Short and Elliot Dale – have set off on the world’s toughest rowing race, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2011.

They are racing 2,550 nautical miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Barbados in their state-of-the-art rowing boat Spirit of Corinth.

Supporters have reported that just over 24 hours after starting on Monday afternoon, the Corinthians were in the lead.

Speaking yesterday from La Gomera, team administrator Andrew Pocock, said: “The boys rowed off the start line at noon on Monday. “As of 5am Tuesday the Lyme Regis boys are leading the pack.”

The 17 boats competing were due to set off on Sunday but the start was delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather.

Updating the Lyme Regis News on Sunday from La Gomera, the team’s boatswain Jamie McNeil said: “The race was delayed today for 24 hours due to heavy seas and big winds which were following – perfect conditions for our team.

“These conditions were favourable to us and would have given us a great advantage.”

Jamie said by Monday afternoon, the four rowers were more than ready to leave.

“They just wanted to get on and go,” he said. “They were on the start line ready to go and it went so well.

“We were behind initially and a boat called Go Commando was flying. But they are a pairs boat so they will have to have some sleep so only one of them will be rowing at certain times, whereas we will always have two rowing.

“Our team is going like a rocket – they are gunning for it.”

The Corinthians, who are all members of Lyme Regis Gig Club, arrived in La Gomera a week before the race started to prepare the boat and attend race briefings.

And it seems the preparation has paid off.

Jamie said: “We had the accolade of best prepared boat. The race organiser said he had never seen a boat better prepared.”

Follow the team’s progress at spiritofcorinth.co.uk or taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com