Sinelnik

Rowers launch ocean record bid

22 April 2005

RUSSIAN twins have set out from Western Australia in a bid to create a new record for rowing across the Indian Ocean in a wooden boat.

Sergey and Alexander Sinelnik, 31, plan to row from Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth, to Tanzania in southern Africa - a trip of 7400km - in approximately 100 days.

The pair, described as "professional adventurers" but not regular rowers, will attempt to make the crossing attempt in a plexiglass-covered 7.3m boat.

The timing of the crossing has been chosen because there is less chance of potentially catastrophic cyclones than at any other time of year - but high seas, strong currents and windy conditions could still wreck their chances.

The twins, whose voyage has been co-ordinated by the London-based Ocean Rowing Society, have fresh and dried food and a water desalination kit to sustain them during their three months at sea

Ocean Rowing Society Executive Director Ken Crutchlow said the early stages of the journey, when the twins must push through the shoreline currents, would be particularly hard.

"They will have to go hard early," Mr Crutchlow said.

The last attempt to row across the Indian Ocean ended with two British rowers being rescued by the frigate HMAS Newcastle after one of them suffered head injuries.

In June 2003, Rob Abernethy, 31, and Mike Noel-Smith, 45, became stranded when their seven-metre boat, the Transventure, was damaged in heavy seas, more than 2400km off the West Australian coast.

Mr Noel-Smith suffered concussion, a broken nose and eye damage when he was knocked out while adjusting the boat's rudder