Female crew prepares for ‘world’s toughest’ Atlantic rowing challenge

Four women are getting ready to undertake an unsupported rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Deborah Cope, a resident of Crewe, along with three companions, plans to embark on this nearly 3,000-mile (4,828km) endeavor. Their goal is to generate funds for Phoenix Heroes, a charity supporting veterans. This initiative is partly inspired by family friend Jordan Gatley, who died in combat in Ukraine two years prior. Additionally, Ms. Cope’s son, James, was also a member of the Army. Ms. Cope stated that both individuals attended Sandbach Boys School concurrently and enlisted in the armed forces simultaneously. To provide motivation for the crew, a depiction of Jordan’s face will be painted on the vessel’s hull. “We will look at those faces when we’re cleaning the boat in the middle of the Atlantic, and I think that is what will push us on” Ms Cope said. The specific course, stretching from the Canary Islands to Antigua, is recognized as the most demanding rowing challenge globally. Ms. Cope, aged 64, indicated that she anticipates using the toilet will be among the numerous difficulties the team will encounter. She humorously added, “We have a bucket,” and continued, “We eat dehydrated food for 50 days, there’s no luxuries onboard.“There’s no mirrors, it’s really getting back to basics.” The participants will contend with a lack of sleep, waves reaching 12m (40 ft), confined spaces, waters populated by sharks, and sore hands. The vessel will serve as both their living quarters and their mode of travel. The team has already invested £150,000 in equipment, the boat itself, and the race entry fee. They are currently seeking a sponsor to assist with the additional £12,000 required for shipping the boat to the Canary Islands. Their departure is scheduled for 12 December, when they will join 40 other teams also taking part in the challenge. The quartet of women has undergone months of training, and their rowing schedule will involve pairs working for three-hour shifts, followed by three hours of rest. Ms. Cope remarked, “I think it’s more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge.” Information from BBC Stoke & Staffordshire is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.