10 days have been rowed and amazingly the crew is still on course to break the World Record, although conditions are less than ideal. Well done guys! It was great to listen to giddy Ian and Simon joking away this morning on Heart FM. Matt wrote up a strong summary of their experiences so far:
“Just thought I’d do a quick round up of week 1 – the words of the week were seasickness, knackered, routine, pain & hunger! It sounds like hell, I know, but the smiles that were aboard Sara G told a different story!
Simon stroking, Aodhán as the power house and Matt in the bow seat
The crew is split in to 2 teams of 3. In my team is Simon (who is in the stroke seat), Aodhán in the middle and I’m in the bow. We have a great mix of humour between us and the nights are filled with caffeine induced laughter – Simon is the super quick wit of the group keeping not only Aodhán and myself laughing but the rest of the boat too!
By the end of week 1 the crew are settled and it now seems normal for life to be existing in this way. The days are blending into one another now and that’s a great sign that we have more to give as a crew in the coming weeks”.
It’s great news that the team is functioning so well and are set up for wonders, even if conditions are not ideal. Matt explained things further in his 15th pod cast: http://embed.ipadio.com/embed/v1/embed-352×200.swf?callInView=96737&channelInView=&phlogId=41329&phonecastId=121346. Stokey, Atlantic Odyssey’s weather master mind, is predicting the trade winds to start benefiting the boat by tomorrow morning. Mark wrote on his blog in the Independent that the trade winds should start earlier rather than later to keep the dream alive. So supporters, you better force those weather gods into action!
Atlantic 2012 
Hi Aodhan
It’s great following your progress every morning – we feel we’re right there in the boat with you (but very glad we’re not!). We’re there in spirit though and willing you on. Hope the trade winds get behind you too, soon!
Cheers
Angie 🙂
Hi Aodhán
We’ve been following you every day, eagerly awaiting the latest updates and are willing you and the guys on. I’d love to say I wish we were there, but on this occasion . . . !
A letter arrived for you this morning from Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes Constituency:
“I am writing to wish you the best of luck in your astonishing bid to row across the Atlantic Ocean in less than 30 day. I hope that the experience is enjoyable and that you are successful in raising money for Plan International, a charity which offers invaluable support to girls in developing countries and helps them to gain equal access to education, which is clearly a worthy cause. Best of luck!”
Continued good luck from all of us here in the office.
Slán abhaile.