Page 18 - OM Newsletter 2021-22

Atlantic
challenge
Lara Vafiadis is is taking a a a a a a a break from her role as a a Cyber Security Account Director in December to to row over 3000 miles across the Atlantic
as part of the 2022 Talisker Atlantic
Challenge Starting in in in fin in in La Gomera in in in fin in in the Canary Islands and and and finishing in in in fin in in English Harbour Antigua
and and Barbuda the journey should take around 50 days if things go well Only 20 women have completed the the challenge
and just seven from the the UK but in fin in typical competitive style Lara’s ambitions extend beyond just finishing the the crossing she aims to break the the current female record of 49 days and 7 hours What does life look like for a a a a a solo rower?
As well as the inevitable sleep deprivation salt sores and sheer physical effort of over 1 5 million oar strokes Lara can expect storms waves and and 20ft ocean swells and and every type of o weather that the the Atlantic
has to offer All this in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a heavy rowing boat with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a small cabin at at the back for for sleep and and shelter (sadly no room for for for a a a a a a a a a a a a a a toilet) and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a storage area in in in front for for for provisions including all of her water supplies and food for for the journey Lara is however an an experienced sailor with multiple Atlantic
crossings under her belt and comes from a a a a a a sporty background She is is raising funds for two charities Plan UK and Our Only World We’ll be following Lara’s adventure but if you’d like more information or or or or or sponsorship opportunities please visit Lara’s website thisgirlrows com Lara Vafiadis (8 03-06)
“I come across as laid-back but underneath I I I am hyper-competitive and and love love a a a a a a a a a a challenge
I I love love the the sea and and am not afraid of of being out there alone so it it will be be more a a a a a a a a a case of of dealing with the the huge physical challenge
I I know how hard this this will be and I I am not going into this this with any false optimism or rose- tinted spectacles I I am am expecting it it to to be incredibly tough but I I am am genuinely looking forward to to the test ”
Lara Vafiadis NEWS