Atlantic adventurer halfway to paradise
Elaine marks mid point with ceremony
Ocean rower Elaine Hopley marked halfway in her marathon Atlantic adventure with a poignant ceremony.
It was an emotional moment for the 44-year-old adventurer from Dunblane, 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 is aiming to complete the near 3000 mile journey in under 70 days.
After reaching the halfway mark, 37 days into the challenge, she slipped memory stones bearing the names of sponsors’ loved ones into the unusually calm water, including those of backers Bridge of Earn’s Moncreiffe Care Home and Highland Spring at Blackford.
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.”
The former ski instructor left the sunshine island of La Gomera on December 15, heading for the Caribbean more than 3000 miles away.
The businesswoman, who is raising money for Alzheimer Scotland in memory of her mum Jan, has endured 40-foot waves, battled ferocious gales and relished some spectacular sights along the way.
While the first of the boats with fourman crews has crossed the finishing line, Dunblane resident Elaine is one of four solo participants signed up for this year’s race.
She has been buoyed by supportive messages from fellow adventurer Mark Beaumont.
Passing the half-way mark was a huge boost to her morale. A picture of the intrepid rower, taken from one of the support boats, was also posted this week.
Elaine has described the conditions encountered so far as ranging from “magical” to “crazy” and testing her mentally and physically “to my limits and beyond.”
She was stung by a jellyfish and had to administer first aid in the form of manuka honey.
But she has also 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, saying: “I hear the UK has had snow – I hope the ski resorts can open soon.”