Page 9 - The Sandbag Times Issue No:53

NEWS

Former Paratroopers Become Oldest Pair To Row Atlantic Ocean

Story: Forces.net
wo former "I'm glad it has ended -
paratroopers I can't say the whole
Thave become the thing was enjoyable,
oldest pair to row the longevity of the
across the Atlantic whole event was rather
Ocean, with a difficult to take on but
combined age of 123. we've learnt so much
and the experience is
Neil Young and Peter something that will
Ketley, known as the stay with us forever."
'Grandads of the
Atlantic', rowed the The pair faced some
3,000-mile journey difficulties early on in
from La Gomera to the race that slowed
Antigua in 63 days, 40 their progress.
minutes and six
seconds. "We had a lot of
technical issues and
Mr Young and Mr we had some
Ketley met during their breakages, the rowing
time in the Parachute seat ball bearings in the numbers you three times, (it was) nothing but "10 ships"
Regiment and have were all over the want it to go on and it fantastic seeing them over the course of 63
remained friends for place, we lost various helps steer the boat. coming under the days.
40 years. They had no nuts off the seat, we boat, turning over and
rowing experience had a broken oar in a "We went without that showing their bellies!" The Talisker Whiskey
before taking on the massive wave that hit for 28 days so we've Atlantic Challenge had
challenge. the boat," Mr Young had plenty of technical Mr Young described a large military
explained. issues to deal with. pulling into the finish presence with 19 of
Speaking to Forces line at Nelson's the race's rowers
News after completing "We were also without "But lots of good parts Dockyard English either veterans or
the race, Mr Ketley the autohelm that of the rowing as well, Harbour in Antigua as serving personnel.
said: "It was absolutely effectively helps steer we enjoyed seeing the "the most surreal
wonderful. the boat - you punch whales that we saw place" after seeing Read more here...

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