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TWO RAF officers who
failed to cross the finishing line of a transatlantic race after rowing
for 3,000 nautical miles said today they would be prepared to take on
the challenge again.
Squadron Leader Matt Stowers, 33, of Teignmouth, Devon and Flight
Lieutenant Mark Jacklin, 34, who was born in Portsmouth, Hants, and grew
up in Ipswich, Suffolk, had to be towed home for the last mile because
of bad weather and problems with their 24ft boat.
The pair, who are members of the RAF Regiment and based at RAF
Honington, in Suffolk, left the Canary Islands with 15 other boats on
October 19 for the 2003 Atlantic Challenge. They arrived in Port St
Charles, Barbados, on January 5 after 78 days at sea.
The servicemen, who are both married, had hoped to beat the existing
world record by reaching the finish in less than than 41 days but were
hampered by three severe storms.
Only six boats finished the race - one is still at sea.
Squadron Leader Stowers said they were faced with bad weather and a
technical problem which meant that only one of them could row when they
were within sight of the finish.
They had the option of spending another three or four days rowing around
the island to find a different route into port or accepting a tow.
"We were faced with an agonising decision. But we were down to our last
10 litres of water and our last three packets of noodles," he said. "But
by accepting a tow into port we didn't technically finish the race even
though we had rowed across an ocean. It was gutting.
"We have massive regrets. But there was nothing we could have done
realistically. We had family and friends waiting for us but I didn't
want to do anything. I was emotionally, physically and mentally shot
away.
"I would be prepared to go out there again. I am not saying I will but I
would be prepared to.'
Flight Lieutenant Jacklin added: "I agree. We would like to have
finished the race. And there are so many things where we think we could
do it differently or better if we did it again. But it's too early to
think about doing it again at the moment.'
The pair had only taken up rowing 18 months before the race and hope
their achievement will raise £30,000 for a children's charity. |
