Record rowers’ return
Amazing memories of adventure
Many people that spent almost two months at sea would never feel like stepping in a boat again.
However, Elaine Hopley was back on the water this week - having become the fastest woman to solo row across the ocean when she completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in just 59 days last month. “I am back on the rowing machine,” she told the Observer. “I am doing 30 minutes a day, just to keep my fitness up and keeping me moving really. I’ve also been out on Loch Venachar too.” The 45-yearold, from Dunblane, rowed 3000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean in memory of her mum Janice, who battled Alzheimers for many years.
She is due to pick up a Guinness World Record for becoming the fastest woman to row unaided across the Atlantic later this spring, and Elaine said she is happy to be home.
“It’s nice to be back,” she said. “The reception I have had from everyone has been great.
Now that I am home, I need to start getting back to normal. I need to think about getting my business back up and running, and telling everyone that the ‘DIY gal’ is back in town!”
On her amazing journey, Elaine encountered amazing wildlife and terrifying storms, with awful weather stalling her progress for the middle part of the challenge. “The lightning was just absolutely insane out there. You are in this little boat and feel so exposed. As much as it is absolutely spectacular, it totally petrified me. I thought if I get hit by one of these bolts then I will be fried.” Nature surrounded Elaine on her trip - with flying fish smacking off her, sharks circling near the boat and a jellyfish stinging her while she was swimming. “The wildlife was unbelievable. One of the best moments was when a young whale swam under the boat. “The mother was there too, it was just amazing.
“There were birds that would swim along with me all day, they would often only disappear when the weather deteriorated.”
The race started well for Elaine, with weather on her side, however her progress stalled as wind drove her boat off course.
“I had a really good fast start. It was very fast, and the training can’t really prepare you for it. But then I had about 10 days in total when the winds kept going from north to south, which was very frustrating.”
As Elaine battled on the weather changed, giving her a clearer path to the finish line.
A machine she used to prepare water broke, meaning she had to ration
supplies, however this did not stop her and she battled on right to the end, arriving in the pitch black in Antigua at 3.30am.
Elaine spent just over a week on the island with her sons Guy and Harvey, who attend Newton Primary, Dunblane, and her partner Ali after she completed the challenge.
She enjoyed a Spanish breakfast with one of the support teams the morning she arrived, and said that chips were the thing she craved most while out at sea.
“I don’t know why I didn’t take crisps with me! I had convinced myself that I would need some deserts, but I just couldn’t stomach them.”
Elaine has raised more than £7,500 for Alzheimer Scotland through the challenge, and is continuing to fundraise.
She is set to speak at several schools - including Newton Primary - about her amazing challenge and is enjoying interacting with people about the race.
To donate to Elaine’s chosen charity, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Elaine-Hopley1
Idon’tknowwhyIdidn’t take crisps with me!