Atlantic record bid sunk by hurricane (From Western Telegraph)

Atlantic record bid sunk by hurricane

A TEAM'S bid to set a new transatlantic rowing record was dashed on Sunday when 60-foot high waves ripped their boat, Pink Lady, in two.

Pete Bray, aged 48, a world record-breaking kayaker from Neyland, was among the four British rowers who were left clinging to a life-raft.

Their hopes of getting from Newfoundland, Canada to Falmouth, Cornwall in under 55 days were devastated by Hurricane Alex - just 300 miles west of the Scilly Isles.

A major rescue mission was launched when the boat's distress beacon signalled at around 2.30am.

The rowers were subsequently rescued by a Swedish cargo ship and landed at the Irish port of Foynes, near Limerick.

Despite being stranding in the Atlantic for six hours, the rowers escaped serious injury, suffering only minor bumps and bruises.

The dramatic end to the Pink Lady's quest came on day 39 of their 2,100 mile voyage. The team's record bid was raising funds for the British Heart Foundation.

Graham Howell, director of Freshwater Adventure at Freshwater East, said: "Pete Bray is at the top of his field - a modern day adventurer in the mould of Edmund Hillary.

"I can't speak for Pete, but I don't think this setback will stop a man like him. I imagine we will see him out there breaking new records in no time."