THE STYLUS MISTRAL ENDEAVOUR

Richard Duckworth and Isabel Fraser

RACE News 06 January 1998
The rowing boat Stylus Mistral Endeavour, crewed by the Southampton couple
Isabel Fraser and Richard Duckworth arrived safely at Port St Charles,
Barbados at 1400 GMT on Monday 05 January 1998, having accepted a tow from
the race safety yacht Motorola. R i chard and Isabel completed their
Atlantic crossing by rowing over the required line of longtitude, at 1030
GMT on Sunday 04 January 1998, before accepting assistance from Motorola.

Having arrived in Port St Charles to a warm welcome from Thomas Herbert, who
made presentations to the two rowers, Richard and Isabel enjoyed an ice cold
drink each before completing the necessary formalities to enter Barbados.
They then recounted some o f
the highlights of their trip to the assembled media and wellwishers.

Looking fit and well, the pair started by saying that they would both do the
race again, having enjoyed themselves so much! Richard said "Once you got in
to the routine and established a pattern of rowing, sleeping and eating, it
was no problem. You knew

there was nothing outside of that and it was great having no phones, TV or
other distractions. Having no long range communications was a bonus because
we couldn't receive information that might have demoralised us".

Isabel said "It was fantastic, really wonderful. The wildlife, such as
dolphins and birds were really nice. The stars at night and the sunsets were
marvellous." Isabel's achievement at becoming the youngest female to row the
Atlantic is all the more rema r kable because originally she was going to be
at home watching her boyfriend compete, but Richards partner backed out and
Isabel stepped in just 4 months before the race start.

Commenting on the freeze dried food that they ate, Richard and Isabel both
agreed that they did not enjoy it and were glad to have reached dry land and
the prospect of a good meal of more usual fayre. Richard said "We began to
loathe the arrival of meal t imes because we knew we were not going to like
what we were going to eat, so it was a chore."

Shortly before arriving in Barbados, Richard and Isabel were able to enjoy a
rare nature experience at close hand when a Leatherback Turtle came up next
to the boat. Being approximately 6 foot across it would have filled the
cockpit of their boat, but it

did not cause them any trouble - it merely gave them a inquisitive look and
slid gracefully back under the water.

From Mike Rosewell. ( Thanks to Mike Rosewell from Regatta OnLine)

A Southampton marine salesman and a Romsey fish farmer are also aiming to be in the Atlantic Row lineup. Richard Duckworth, 27, of Southampton and Mark Stollery, 36, of Romsey met as a result of their mutual interest in rowing, Mark being a member of Southampton Rowing Club and Richard of Coal Porters Rowing Club. (ed.note Isabel Fraser replaced Mark Stollery for the row)

Both are well into the organisational aspects and the long programme of stamina training. Expecting their effort to take between 50 and 70 days, Mark says,

'We will be asking questions of ourselves leading up to and during the race, not least about spending two months together in an area smaller than most people's bathroom.'

Both will be aiming to raise money for the Wessex Cancer Trust, Mark having lost his father to the disease two years ago while Richard lost his mother to cancer three years ago.
(ed note: If anyone has further information or press clips to post on Richard and Isabel send to webmaster@oceanrowing.com)
Sponsorship enquiries:

Richard and Mark, Crampmoor Fish Farm, Crampmoor Lane, Romsey, Hants. SO51 9AJ. Tel. 01794 518782. Fax 01794 513815.