WHEN you’re tucking into your turkey this Christmas Day, spare a thought for the four Lyme rowers working hard in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Brian Fletcher, Chris Walters, Tony Short, and Elliot Dale – known as The Corinthians – will be setting off on the world’s toughest rowing challenge on December 4.

They will race 2,550 nautical miles from the Canary Islands to Barbados in the Talisker (formerly Woodvale) Challenge 2011.

The team launched their state-of-the-art rowing boat Spirit of Corinth at Lyme Regis harbour on Sunday before it leaves for the start line this weekend.

The four rowers, all members of Lyme Regis Gig Club, will be leaving between November 23 and 27 and were delighted with the support they received at Sunday’s launch.

Around 150 people turned out to see the boat being officially launched by harbourmaster Grahame Forshaw.

The Rev Keith Vivian blessed the boat and fellow gig club member Sue Beckers sang sea shanties.

Captain Brian Fletcher said: “The feeling of warmth and support was overwhelming.

“It’s as much a psychological challenge as a physical challenge and in your dark moments what keeps you going is knowing the people back home are 100 per cent behind you.”

The past two years have seen major preparation and training, including fundraising for their two chosen charities, the British Heart Foundation and ShelterBox, and the building and funding of the boat.

The whole project has cost more than £100,000 and team administrator Andrew Pocock has organised the team while they trained.

They are now in their final stages of preparation and the rowers have all completed the necessary safety courses.

Mr Fletcher said: “It would be wrong to say there wasn’t a little apprehension but I don’t think I’ve heard any fear from the guys.

“We’re not blasé about this, we do realise the nature of the challenge we are undertaking but we’ve done everything we can to put ourselves in the best possible position.”

The captain said the three main challenges they expect to face are the monotony of rowing, the weather conditions and the management of the boat.

They will row in teams of two, doing hourly shifts during the day and two-hour shifts at night.

The men are aiming to complete the race in between 50 and 55 days and expect to be halfway through on Christmas Day.

There will be no time for a rest on the big day, although the rowers know it will be a difficult time to be away from their families.

“We will carry on rowing but we will take the time to stop and reflect and maybe make a couple of phone calls,” said Mr Fletcher.

“It’s been as testing a time for our families as it has for us.”

Communication will be limited – especially at £3 a minute to use the satphone – and information will be uploaded to a shore-based admin party.

Their position and other basic details can then be updated on the website www.spiritofcorinth.co.uk or www.woodvale-challenge.co.uk and the rowers hope people back home will follow their progress.