Atlantic rower Elaine hits the halfway point
Battling‘crazy’ and ‘magical’ ocean conditions
Ocean rower Elaine Hopley has toasted passing the halfway mark in her marathon adventure.
It was an emotional moment for the 44-year-old one-time Glenshee Ski Centre instructor, who has set her sights on becoming the fastest woman to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic.
Elaine is taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and her backers include Bridge of Earn’s Moncreiffe Care Home and Highland Spring at Blackford.
To mark the milestone, 37 days into the challenge, she slipped “memory stones” bearing the names of sponsors’ loved ones into the unusually calm water.
Elaine posted on social media site Twitter: “Wohoo! Half way point. Placing memory stones and doing a hull clean. It’s very hot and quite calm.”
Elaine left the sunshine island of La Gomera on December 15,
Elaine has passed the halfway mark in her Atlantic row. Pic: Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge en route for the Caribbean more than 3000 miles away.
The businesswoman, who is raising money for Alzheimer Scotland in memory of her late mum Jan, who lived in Enochdhu north of Blairgowrie for many years, has endured 40-foot waves, battled ferocious gales and relished some spectacular sights along the way.
While the first of the boats with four man crews has crossed the finishing line, Dunblane resident Elaine is one of just one of four solo participants signed up for this year’s race and she has been buoyed by supportive messages from fellow Perthshire adventurer Mark Beaumont.
Passing the half-way mark was a huge boost to her morale.
She has described the conditions encountered so far as ranging from “magical” to “crazy,” and testing her mentally and physically “to my limits and beyond.”
While she was stung by a jellyfish and had to administer first aid in the form of Manuka honey, Elaine has been entertained by the sight of flying fish and even the occasional passing whale.
And the rower has been thinking of friends and colleagues back home, noting: “I hear the UK has had snow – I hope the ski resorts can open soon.”
Norma MacLeod, manager at the Moncreiffe Care Home, said: “We are delighted to hear that Elaine has passed the half-way point of her incredible journey and wish her a speedy voyage en route to the finishing line.”