Arctic rower quits 1,200-mile trip to ‘be alive for family’

An OLYMPIC rower on a record 1,200-mile voyage across the Arctic Ocean has quit after deciding it was his duty as a father to stop risking his life.

Gold medallist Alex Gregory and two other Britons have had enough after freezing storms forced their six-man crew to take refuge on a tiny island 340 miles from their goal in Iceland.

The Polar Row team were trying to smash a number of world records to raise funds to build a school in the Himalayas.

But they had to stop on the island of Jan Mayen after enduring bitter temperatures in their fibreglass boat, which has no sails.

Mr Gregory, who has three children – Jasper, seven, Daisy, four, and Jesse, one – with his partner Emily, quit after ‘a phenomenally tough 72 hours’. The 33-year-old, who triumphed in London and Rio, said his decision was finalised after missing Daisy’s fourth birthday.

He wrote online: ‘I found myself feeling extremely sad to miss her opening her presents and blowing out her four little candles. I should have been there, but it cemented

Blades in: Alex Gregory, front, in the fibreglass boat my decision not to take any more needed their father to be brave, serious risks. but not take unnecessary risks. He

‘now what I want is to be with went on: ‘Where there’s a chance, my children and give them some although slim, that he may not really cool, happy, fun, exciting life come home, the decision to stop experiences and adventures. For has to be taken. Simple.’ that I need to be alive. I’m not Mr Gregory, and fellow Britons heading out into rough Arctic Danny Longman and Sam Vye, are waters in a rowing boat again.’ now waiting to be rescued from

He added that his children Jan Mayen island and the norwegian Family man: The Olympian at home with his three children – Daisy, four, Jasper, seven, and Jesse, one military base there that took is aiming to be the first to row the them in a week ago. ocean from south to north, as well

Mr Gregory, from Cheltenham, as being the fastest and largest said: ‘There is news that a boat crew to row in the Arctic. The may be coming past next week remaining men are now trying to that may have space for us.’ find replacement team members

Their Polar Row team, which is to complete their bid. In 2014 Mr led by Icelandic athlete Fiann Gregory complained of missing Paul and includes two Americans, Daisy’s birth at the World Championships set off from norway on July 20. It in South Korea.