Rowers to battle elements in 3,000-mile trans-Atlantic race
Phil Pring, from Penzance and Ben (Skippy) Cummings, from Falmouth, will spend six weeks struggling to stay out of the path of giant container ships as they row through major shipping lanes in a 3,000-mile trans-Atlantic race.
The adventurers will be competing against international teams next December when they set off from La Gomera in the Canaries to English Harbour in Antigua.
They know the risks but the adventure is too tantalising to resist.
"More often than not killer whales will pass you by because they're too intelligent to mistake you for food," said Phil.
"But every once in a blue moon they attack and there's nothing you can do."
The Last Voyage of the Lucette, by Douglas Robertson, highlights in incredible detail the dangers killer whales can pose to rowers.
In the book, the author relives his 38-week battle when he was forced to survive on turtle blood after his family's 50ft yacht was attacked by killer whales during an around the world sailing adventure in 1972.
"It's going to be a tough six weeks but the thought of being out there is the middle of the ocean battling against other teams is a challenge we are determined to face," said Phil.
Phil, who was born in Penzance, and Falmouth-based Skippy, who is originally from Teignmouth in Devon, are hand building their 24-ft plywood boat. Vision of Cornwall is expected to be painted in Cornwall's gold and black colours and will raise funds for Cornwall Institute for the Blind.
Penzance leisure centre has offered free gym membership to help them train and clothing company Seasalt has provided clothing for the journey.
To find out more about Phil and Skippy's preparations visit www.visionofcornwall.co.uk
● A similar challenge undertaken by the Scillyboys in June almost ended in tragedy when their 29ft boat capsized in cold, dark, inhospitable waters of the North Atlantic in their bid to break the transatlantic rowing record from New York to the Bishop Rock Lighthouse.
Chris Jenkins, Tim Garratt, Joby Newton and Wayne Davey spent seven hours at the mercy of huge seas and were without proper survival gear before being picked up by the Gulf Grace and taken to Gibraltar.
Comment on this story