Row4Charity back on course

The Bexhill Trust Challenger lost its first place to Pura Vida as the four man crew experienced technical problems - including loss of the automated steering system and minimal communication - as well as unpredictable and difficult weather conditions.

They're now back on course however - as anyone watching their race progress will be aware - and the mood is optimistic.

There was this week dramatic news of another boat which capsized and had to be rescued which reminded Row4Charity supporters how dangerous the Indian Ocean can be.

Spokesman Geoff Dixon said: "Our boys are also suffering and will have call on all their mental strength as much as their physical strength.

"Due to technical problems communication with the boys has been limited. At the moment the boys have been unable to use their onboard laptop due to the fact that during the past two weeks they have had only two days of sunshine. This has resulted in the batteries, which are powered by the solar panels not being charged to capacity. The batteries therefore not have enough power to boot the laptop. It's been important that the boys conserve power as it is required to run the water maker, their GPS and satellite phone. Calls to and from the sat phone have also been restricted to essential and emergency use only until they experience a long spell of sunny weather to boost the batteries.

"Andy Bristow, our weather and communications technical advisor is in constant contact with the boys so they are not completely on their own. The Woodvale support boat also calls the boys each morning to ensure everything is okay."

The crew members are Phil McCorry, his brother Nick McCorry , Matt Hellier, and Ian Allen.

They will be celebrating two birthdays in the upcoming month - Ian is going to be 25 on May 13 and Phil will be 24 on May 19.

Geoff commented: "I'm sure they will get through this bad period and if as predicted, the weather improves, they hit calmer water and favourable currents they will feel a lot better in themselves and start making good progress. The fact that even before a quarter of the race has been completed so many boats, with vastly experienced crews have had to retire speaks volumes for the boys endeavors to date. It also goes to prove how unpredictable and dangerous the Indian Ocean can be and explains why that in over 70 previous attempts to row this ocean, only five have been successful.

"We would like to thank everyone for placing messages of support on the race web site. Although the boys have been unable to read them yet we hope shortly that full power will be resumed and that they will spend long lonely nights reading catching up with these and this will no doubt encourage them further. Please continue to leave your messages, especially 'Bexhill Pensioner', as they also give a big lift the families and girlfriends of the boys who get a lot of pleasure reading them."

Please keep the donations coming in for the Stroke Association via www.row4charity.com, The Retreat hairdressers or the Waterfront

Full details are on the news section of www.indianoceanrowingrace09.com