Norwegian rowers almost across the Atlantic

The two Norwegians started their life’s biggest challenge on December 5, 2011 when they decided to cross the Atlantic as part of the world’s toughest rowing competition – The Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race. Now they are only two days from shore.

"They have performed incredibly well," says the team’s spokesperson, Christian Heger. "Now they are just excited to reach the finish line," he tells NRK.

Towards the end of the race they have picked up speed, according to their blog "Sons of Norway." On Saturday they broke a new record, and rowed 50 nautical miles in a day. Last Friday they also broke the record per hour - 6,4 nautical miles in two hours.

They explain on their blog that the waves and winds are high, which makes it difficult to move around and sleep. "We have reached a point where the breaks are no longer time off. We know how little time there’s left and are incredibly excited for what’s waiting once we reach shore," the duo writes.

Seven boats participating in the race have already reached the Caribbean, while four are still on their way. Six boats have terminated the race; the last one was a Swedish boat that capsized on New Year’s Eve.

The duo is expected to reach Barbados on Wednesday, where friends and relatives will greet them.

(NRK)

Julie Ryland