Sailor hoping to make waves as part of Atlantic record bid

A SAILOR will embark on a voyage of a lifetime - as support crew for a man attempting to be the first to swim the Atlantic Ocean.

Russell Sandbach, 55, of Cheadle Heath, will be first mate on board 50ft catamaran as it sails from Dakar, in Senegal, to Natal, in Brazil.

It will take four months as they follow Ben Hooper, who hopes to swim between the two points. It is 1,700 nautical miles but with drift and currents will effectively be more than 2,000.

Although others have previously claimed to have accomplished the feat, none have been authenticated by the Guinness Book of Records or Open Water Swimming Association.

Ben and his crew of six, which includes an independent observer who is also a medic, hope he can be the first.

Russell said: “Me and the skipper will be sailing the boat but I define my role as the guy who makes sure the boat gets there (Brazil) and who knows the systems.

“There are concerns for Ben such as sharks, jellyfish, the sun and how mentally tough it will be. There are concerns and risks on the sailing front too.

“Will there be enough wind, will the boat hold up. But if something is worth doing there will always be risks.

“There is a possibility Ben won’t do it - if it was easy then others would have done it already.”

The team also includes two other crew members and a masseuse and sets off on November 2.

Ration packs will be taken for food and water provided by a machine that makes the sea drinkable.

Ben will swim for eight hours daily with the distance travelled carefully recorded and totted up so he covers the necessary 1,680 nautical miles.

Russell has been sailing for six years, after four weeks intensive training his first experience was the Clipper Round the World Race.

He now delivers yachts for a living and got involved with the Atlantic attempt after responding to an advert.

Russell said: “Christmas Day will be in the middle of the Atlantic and business as usual, if Ben has a day off he will tighten up.

“I’m least looking forward to going to the toilet on board but looking forward to sharing the experience.

“Some of the wildlife you see at sea is amazing and the sunrise and sunsets are beautiful they take your breath away.” ●●Russell Sandbach will be part of an attempted record bid to swim the Atlantic Ocean