Flying fish and Hurricane Alex - all in a day's rowing for transatlantic Evelyn

Lambourn man's epic journey nears its end

HE’S been battered by winds from Hurricane Alex and struck by flying fish.

But as you read this, Lambourn racehorse trainer Evelyn Williams is still battling in a solo row across the Atlantic.

Mr Williams must complete more than 3,000 nautical miles in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, described as the world’s toughest row.

By New Year’s Eve he had powered through 55 nautical miles in the previous 24 hours, at an average speed of 2.4 knots, and was 19th out of 26 teams, pulling ahead of some boats with pairs and even teams.

This week he was just over 300 nautical miles from the finish at Antigua, having set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 20.

The 48-year-old, who was born and brought up Lambourn, is expected to take another couple of weeks to reach the finish and is undertaking the challenge, propelled by his own muscle power, in aid of the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, Brighter Futures Radiotherapy Appeal.

His family reported he had endured freak storms, as a result of Hurricane Alex, and had been hit by a school of flying fish.

Meanwhile he has lost so much weight that he has asked for smaller-sized clothes for when he finally arrives in Antigua.

Mr Williams was able to keep in touch with his family back home over Christmas by satellite phone and, ironically, said before he set off: “I’m just hoping I don’t get caught in any storms or hurricanes on the way.”

You can support Mr Williams and the Radiotherapy Appeal through his JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Evelyn-Williams2

And you can track his progress live, with updates every fours hours, by visiting www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/latest-news/ and using the race tracker to follow him in Atlantic Answer.