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| March 27,2001 |
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TUESDAYS STORY |
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by Dale Paget |
| GOLD COAST, March 27 AAP - An Englishman who is attempting to become the first person to row unassisted across the Pacific Ocean is facing the most dangerous part of his epic journey as he is swept along Australia's east coast. Jim Shekhdar, 54, was expected to row into the Gold Coast this week but over the past 24 hours northerly winds have pushed him further out to sea. At last report he was approximately 200 kilometres east of Byron Bay on the north coast of New South Wales. Ocean Rowing Society executive director Kenneth Crutchlow said it appeared Mr Shekhdar would reach Australia near Ballina - 13,000 kilometres from where he started. "This is naturally frustrating for him as he is losing ground at the moment," said Mr Crutchlow, who has flown from London to Australia for Mr Shekhdar's arrival. Mr Shekhdar left Peru in a row boat in June last year and has been at sea for 271 days - about three months longer than he expected. Food is running out and concern is growing for his safety. "This is certainly the most dangerous part," Mr Crutchlow said "Things can go wrong close to land, something could hit him. He could in some way relax and not have his harness on and get swept over the side by a sudden wave." Mr Shekhdar will be the first person to cross the Pacific Ocean without being resupplied. Another British rower, Peter Bird, rowed from San Francisco to Australia in 1983 but was given fresh food and water near Tahiti. A southerly change today is expected to help sweep Mr Shekhdar towards land. "He's absolutely very anxious to land," said Mr Crutchlow. "He's certainly excited. There's no doubt about that." AAP dp/sc/ns/br |
© 1983-2001 Ocean Rowing Society
