A UAE rowing team intends to spend Christmas in high spirits on the high seas as their epic 5,000km journey continues across the Atlantic Ocean.
Toby Gregory, James Raley, and Raimundo Tamagnini of the Arabian Ocean Rowing Team have battled fierce storms and crashing waves since embarking on their voyage on December 12.
The trio are on a 53-day mission to raise awareness about the dangers of marine pollution and will be full of festive cheer when the holiday arrives, despite the weather.
They set off from La Gomera, off the coast of Africa, in their small rowing boat and will finish their gruelling challenge at English Harbour in Antigua.
“We have been hit by storm after storm. We are dealing with bad weather and big waves. But we will be listening to Christmas songs while rowing,” Mr Gregory, 44, an ultra-endurance athlete from the UK, and the founder of the team, told The National.
“It's been a tough first few days but the team has pulled together well. The ocean has thrown everything it can at us and we are still going strong,” he said on a satellite call to Dubai.
His teammates are Raley, 43, a British Army veteran and adventure travel enthusiast, and Tamagnini, 48, a four-times Ironman and mountaineer from Portugal.
Having already spent more than a week in the sea, the team said they are delighted with the progress they are making.
“We achieved our first significant milestone last weekend by passing the first 500km mark,” said Mr Gregory.
“We are basically awake for 20 hours every day. It is taking a toll on our bodies but we are going strong.”
The team has been training for the adventure for nearly two years and is completely unsupported during the expedition. They are relying on desalinated seawater to drink, solar energy to power batteries and electronics, and they have only power bars and dried food to eat.
The team members are taking turns in rowing the boat that is just 8.1m long — that is shorter than two cars.
As part of their partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the team is also taking samples of ocean water from day one through to day 50.
“As conditions settle at the end of this week, we will use the plankton net to begin our trawl for microplastics as part of the work we are doing for the UNEP’s ‘Clean Seas’ initiative.
“Despite the stormy conditions, and being miles away from land, we have still recorded numerous instances of pollution — it is just awful,” he said.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
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Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
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Sector: Financial services
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Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
