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Already quarter way to Georgetown! |
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| Norwegian doctor rowing across Atlantic making steady progress | |
| By Norman Faria |
25.08.2002 |
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DR. STEIN HOFF, the 57-year-old Norwegian physician who is attempting to be the first man to row alone across the Atlantic from Europe to South America is making steady progress. Last Monday, on his 24th day out, he went pass the Canary Islands, which lie off the west coast of Africa. He left Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday August 10 on board the seven metre (23 foot) long wooden boat called Star Atlantic II. By this Sunday, his 30th day out, he should have covered 1,000 miles. The total mileage he has to cover is 3,774 miles (or 6,074 kilometres). He hopes to tie up at the Georgetown docks sometime in December. Dr. Hoff, who is in contact through an Iridium satellite telephone system with his wife Diana in Norway, reports everything is going well so far. Monday was his birthday and one of the presents he opened was from his grandmother. "I am among the privileged lot who has a mother who cares about me even though I am nearing 60", he said. Another message he sent Diana and his well wishers was this: "So far 75 per cent of the time I am enjoying myself very much. So far I have not regretted the trip for a second even when it has been very uncomfortable." Dr. Hoff, who previously rowed with another Norwegian in a race from the Canary Islands to Barbados, rows about 12 to 15 hours a day. He rows for two hours at a stretch and then rests for two hours. He gets about five to six hours sleep per night in a small watertight cabin on board. The boat averages about 35 to 40 miles per 24 hours. The first day out, he did 59 miles but then had a couple days (23rd and 24th) when he registered 66 miles. It all depends on the weather. The prevailing winds and current, pushing him towards the southwest, are in his favour. A good wind with relatively smooth sea will help him make more speed. The problem he is experiencing so far, he reports, is with the short seas. Sometimes a wave will smack into one side of the boat so hard that it pushes the bow away from the direction he is travelling. This means he has to do extra work to get the hull back on course. Because the boat is so small, it wouldn't make sense to stockpile it with all sorts of provisions such as bags of rice, Dr. Hoff is getting his nutrients from small amounts of freeze dried foods. He has a water maker on board, making fresh water from sea water. He makes about five litres a day for his needs, including washing the salt out his clothes. To keep the boredom at bay, he listens to classical music and novels and stories on CDs. To keep his batteries charged up to power the phone, lap top computer and navigational equipment, he has a solar panel. The voyage has been meticulously planned, Dr.Hoff told the Chronicle in an interview, including a back-up support team headed by his wife Diana on shore. In recent years, rowing small boats across the oceans has become more popular, although only those experienced in seamanship skills and physically and mentally fit are encouraged to do it. The rowboats in such events are all the same, identical to the one Stein is using, and basically all standardised. There is an annual race of rowboats, with two persons on board, from the Canary Islands to Barbados which the Barbados Government actively encourages. The Ocean Rowing Society has its own website. It features Dr. Hoff's row with photos and a map mentioning Guyana. Dr. Hoff said the row was a "personal challenge". In addition to being the first man to row from Europe to South America, he will be the first Norwegian man to row singlehandedly across an ocean. But it is more than that, as he explained to the Chronicle: "I hope to inspire people to realise their dreams, regardless of their age, and to inspire an active lifestyle. "To my Guyanese friends who are encouraging me and supporting me all the way, I hope also the trip will be of some benefit to Guyana and continue to deepen the good relations between our two countries." In Guyana, Tourism Minister, Mr. Manzoor Nadir is keenly following the row and wishes the Norwegian every success in his worthwhile endeavour. A welcoming ceremony is planned when he arrives. The main sponsor of the trip is Pfizer: Neuroscience. Over the next few weeks the Chronicle will keep readers updated on Dr. Hoff's progress across the ocean to Guyana. |
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