infonews.co.nz
INDEX
YACHTING

Team Gallagher Passes Halfway Mark

Wednesday 14 December 2011, 1:34PM

By Team Gallagher Media

677 views

James Blake and Nigel Cherrie take a break on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand.
James Blake and Nigel Cherrie take a break on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand. Credit: James Blake/Team Gallagher
Nigel Cherrie rows on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand.
Nigel Cherrie rows on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand. Credit: James Blake/Team Gallagher
Nigel Cherrie prepares to dive under the Moana to clean the hull on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand.
Nigel Cherrie prepares to dive under the Moana to clean the hull on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand. Credit: James Blake/Team Gallagher
James Blake rows on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand.
James Blake rows on day 16 of Team Gallagher's row from Auckland to New Zealand. Credit: James Blake/Team Gallagher

Team Gallagher has just passed halfway in their epic rowing adventure, but not without their share of challenges.

The quartet made up of Nigel Cherrie (35), James Blake (24), Martin Berka (37), and Andrew McCowan (28) have been battling brutal weather in the Tasman since leaving Sydney on November 27. They have spent approximately five of the 17 days at sea so far under sea anchor, causing them to drift much further north than planned.

Their boat, the Moana, also suffered a broken rudder on day 11 and two days ago on day 16 they snapped an oar while rowing and surfing over large swells. Both of these issues have since been repaired.

Crew member Martin Berka says: “The bodies are tired but everyone is still in good spirits. Our hands and feet are full of blisters, but you get used to them. I'm down to my last pair of boxers!”

On day 14, the crew had a rough night waiting out a large storm. "A memorable night at sea for all the wrong reasons," said Cherrie. "There is a big low over us. I am estimating the wind to be at least 50 knots. We all got bounced around the cabin."

Team Gallagher aim to be the first Kiwi team to row from Sydney to Auckland using the iconic harbour bridges as their start and finish lines. The challenge will require them to complete some half a million strokes over 1,400 nautical miles (2500km). Currently they are approximately 1000km West of Cape Reinga and with favourable conditions forecast, arrival in Auckland is expected to be between 15 and 30 days.

The team’s progress is mapped using satellite positioning systems on www.teamgallagher.co.nz and there are regular updates on www.facebook.com/teamgallagher and www.twitter.co/tweetthetasman.


Day 1: Leaving Sydney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeXenQfFy30

Day 5: Cabin fever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnqIi0Uqd3A

Day 10: Rowing hard against the wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kkYuKvq6iw

Day 11: Rudder repairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UGULkDocgc