Rowers Matt Hampel, left, Peter Staples, Tom Wigram and
Billy Gammon hold a media conference prior to their attempt
to become the world's first four man crew to row cross the
Indian Ocean for raise funds and awareness for prostate
cancer. Photo by NZPA.
Four New Zealand rookie rowers, into their seventh week
of a long and painful crossing of the Indian Ocean, expect to
reach Mauritius in about three weeks.
The quartet is attempting to become the world's first
four-man crew to complete the crossing.
They set off from Geraldton in Western Australia on April 19
for Mauritius, competing against 11 other teams from around
the world. Five teams have already dropped out.
Tom Wigram, Billy Gammon, Matt Hampel and Peter Staples, all
expatriate Britons, are rowing in two hour shifts.
Mr Wigram's wife Rebecca told NZPA said they had been through
some tough times and horrific weather.
"The rails (the rowers seats are fixed to) broke three days
into the trip, so they've been rowing the whole time without
being able to go forwards and backwards.
"They've had to row much harder and they're about three weeks
behind schedule, although they're in third place at the
moment.
"They had some really horrific weather last week and they've
had to ration their food, but they're in good spirits," Mrs
Wigram said.
The team has rowed 2236 nautical miles, with another 916 to
go.
Mr Gammon is keeping a blog and writes: "Concern over food
however is still a hot topic. Whilst rationing of the snack
packs has started, talk is now of having to extend this to
the main meal packs - suddenly thoughts of me turning into an
oar are becoming all too real a prospect."
The quartet is attempting to follow in the footsteps of Rob
Hamill, Phil Stubbs, Kevin Biggar and Jamie Fitzgerald and
set another ocean rowing world record for New Zealand. In
1997, Hamill and the late Stubbs completed the trans-Atlantic
rowing race from Tenerife to Barbados in 41 days, two hours.
In 2003, Biggar and Jamie Fitzgerald rowed across the
Atlantic in 40 days and five hours to set a new world record.
Mr Gammon said they spent nearly a month getting the boat
ready, although the idea started back in November 2007.
At the heart of their campaign lies a serious message --
raising awareness about prostate cancer.
"My father was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, and
that really opened my eyes and the eyes of the rest of the
boys to what a serious issue prostate cancer is," Mr Gammon
said.
"This is our chance to make a difference and take the message
out to the communities across New Zealand.
"The fact that we're spending 60 or 70 days on our prostate
might be a bit painful, but people with prostate cancer are
going through a much tougher time," he added.
They eat freeze-dried food, and aim to consume 6000-8000
calories a day.
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