Record rowing attempt in doubt
A ROWER who hoped to cross the Indian Ocean in under 107 days fears her journey may take longer than planned.
Sarah Outen is 93 days into the epic journey but thinks earlier problems with the wind blowing her off course may hamper her record-breaking effort.
She set off from Fremantle in Australia three months ago and hoped to arrive in Mauritius quicker than the current record set by British man Simon Chalk.
But this week Sarah, of Buckingham Road in Oakham, admitted one of her attempts might fail.
She said: "With 20 degrees left to run we're looking at a journey time somewhat longer than anticipated, but no worries."
The 24-year-old is still on course to become the first woman and the youngest rower to make the 3,000-mile journey alone.
She is taking on the challenge in memory of her father Derek who died in June 2006. He suffered for years with rheumatoid arthritis so Sarah is raising cash for Arthritis Care in his memory.
Sarah was forced to re-start her journey after electrical equipment failed and this week she had to unhook her security line after being thrown into the water.
Anxious mum Helen said: "It was a shock to receive a phone call from somewhere in the Indian Ocean from Sarah letting me know she was ok after having 'a bit of a roll about' in the sea.
"I'm just glad she is so particular about being hooked up at all times. If she wasn't it doesn't bear thinking about."
Mrs Outen plans to fly out to mauritius to welcome her daughter back to dry land.
Follow Sarah's progress and sponsor her online at www.sarahouten.co.uk
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Weather for Stamford
Monday 06 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
