ABERGAVENNY’S Elaine Theaker along with crewmates, Di Carrington and Sharon Magrath who set out on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - known as the world’s toughest rowing event, have reached the middle of the Atlantic with more than 1,000 nautical miles left to row.

THE TRIO are predicted to arrive at Antigua in their boat, Poppy, around the first week of February.

The Challenge takes the participants more than 3,000 miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua & Barbuda. There are 28 teams taking part from across the world.

The latest communication with the crew tells of swells that prove to be ‘ever challenging’ and highlights the rough and tumble of life on board.

‘Holding onto the handles of the oars proves hugely challenging as the resistance of the water forces against the blade and Di is now sporting a real bruiser. Not just to her legs as they are clattered by the handles but this time to her eye.

‘Caught by changing wave direction and a localised gust of wind she was unable to hold onto the handle as it swung viciously at height colliding with the brow of her eye. She remains in good spirits and Elaine and Sharon have made sure the photographs record the real colour of this shiner!

‘The sores to bums, heels, toes, palms and fingers are now open, enlarged and painful. Elaine described the pain of sitting on her rowing seat first thing in the morning; the stinging, bruised and tender sores scream to their owner as the pressure is applied and the salt water makes inevitable contact.’

Each member of the crew is burning around 8,000 calories a day and is expected lose around 20% of their body weight over the duration of the race, which started on December 12th.

The trio are each supporting charities in their attempt to become the only crew of three females to row across an ocean; Alzheimer’s Society, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Relapsing Polychondritis UK.