Australian Associated Press 30/03/2001 (2)

March 30,2001 (2)

FRIDAY STORY

by Dale Paget

GOLD COAST, March 30 AAP - British adventurer Jim Shekhdar plans to end his record setting crossing of the Pacific ocean by surfing his row boat onto a Queensland beach later today. At midday (AEST) Mr Shekhdar was about 15 kilometres from land off North Stradbroke Island. Speaking to AAP via satellite telephone, Mr Shekhdar said he first sited Australia shortly after sunrise this morning. "She looked beautiful," he said. The 54-year-old Englishman is attempting to become the first person to row unassisted across the Pacific Ocean. Since leaving Peru in June last year he has spent 274 days at sea. If all goes well Mr Shekhdar will finish his 13,000 kilometre crossing this afternoon. In order to claim the unassisted record Mr Shekhdar must row his boat to the coast and cannot accept a tow or any help.