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They might be "running on fumes", but Jersey's oar-some four-woman crew rowing the Atlantic has less than 20 miles to their destination – and could make land as record-breakers tonight.
The Intrepid 232 crew – consisting of Julie Brady, Helene Monpetit, Rosemary Satchwell and Alison Smithurst – are on track to complete their 3,000-mile row later today following a week of difficult conditions and slow progress.
The team were within 24 hours of their target last week, but were frustratingly thrown off-track.
After spending the night on "para-anchor", the four are now barrelling toward Antigua at a rate of 2.3 knots.
Hundreds of spectators from all over the world are pouring out their support via social media for the four islanders, who will break the record as the oldest female crew to row any ocean if they make it to the Caribbean shores unassisted.
A spokesperson for the crew, writing on social media, said: "Whatever they had for breakfast it is working!"
They explained that the winds are changing at around 18:00 tonight, and maintaining this speed they should be with reach of land at that same time.
"It is going to be incredibly close.
"We know you don't have any nails left to chew, but glue yourself to the tracker."
Pictured: The team were the cover stars of the July edition of Connect magazine.
Ian Couch, head safety officer for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, also commented: "We spoke a few times during the night and though they came off para anchor earlier they were still in conditions that prevented them from rowing."
He added: "They were advised to go back into para-anchor until conditions eased and the sun came up.
"Due to fatigue, the crew were struggling with navigation so they have been given a bearing which will take them to the SE corner of the island.
"If they are able to hold this line we will adjust them when they are approx 5 to 7 miles out and bring them, with the changing conditions, into the finish where the media boat will meet them before they come in."
The team’s fundraising page can be found HERE, while more details on the race, including a tracker for the team’s latest position, can be found online at HERE.
The arrivals of crews at the finish are streamed live on the World’s Toughest Row YouTube page.
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Pictured top: Race organisers took pictures of the Intrepid crew on 30 January prior to weather conditions worsening. (World's Toughest Row)
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