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Alveston rower aims to become the oldest woman to cross Atlantic solo




THE challenge of a lifetime is getting closer for Victoria Jeffs from Alveston when she takes on her 3,000-mile solo row across the Atlantic and hopes to become the oldest woman to complete mission on her own.

Preparations for the 56-year-old grandmother were given a further boost when she took part in a two-day intensive training session with a special coach which took her through skills and drills needed for the Atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to Canary Barbados on a journey lasting from 40 to 55 days.

She hopes to set off later this year or early next which is why - as the weeks go by - the training plays such an important over the coming months.

“It was really reassuring that I was doing things the right way and would be able to navigate across the Atlantic properly,” Victoria told the Herald. “My mindset that works for me is to have the ability to break things down into smaller chunks and be prepared for every eventuality. You overcome the isolation by having a goal – eat, sleep, row, repeat. I set myself achievable goals, which is where my iron man triathlons will help me because I just keep going. My routine will be two and half hours of rowing and a half hour break until midnight. I tell myself this is my journey.”

The thought of sleeping in the middle of the Atlantic might sound like a bad dream for most of us but Victoria’s small rowing boat will be under control even in the middle of the night.

“When I sleep I have two auto tillers which keep me going in principle in the right direction.

I will be using my navigation skills in the right way and it’s important to know about the winds and the weather because that’s how I will navigate my route. If I’m concerned about going off course

I can use a power anchor which is like a parachute in water and stops you from drifting back from where you were,” said Victoria.

She will have enough food for 80 days and some emergency bottles of water but most of her daily water requirements will come from the sea with electric water makers powered by solar panels able to desalinate the water which she will need for drinking, rehydrating for food and importantly personal cleanliness.

“It’s so important to wash at the end of the day to prevent chafing which can get in every nook and cranny and can cause infection and it’s also important to wash off salt crystals which dry out skin.,” Victoria added.

She’s not worried about being isolated and alone stating she has an analytical mind so there’s no point in getting frustrated or negative she just focuses on the positive.

Victoria said: “I’m single and used to being on my own. I’m good in my own company and keep saying this is the best I can do as an individual. I will have the ability to send information and receive weather reports everyday with an expert and someone is updating my social media pages. The world record attempt will be all about the joy of discovery and knowing where my limits might lie. I will find out no doubt and I’ll be way off my comfort zone but I want to explore and inspire my granddaughter.”

There will be some very big waves but she intends to stay on top of them and will use the bulk of her weight for balance just like a person skiing or snowboarding does.

“When there are big waves I’ll lie back, low to the ground and use my core body strength like that needed for the skeleton in the Olympics,” Victoria said.

She’ll have access to phones and a radio beacon will activate in case of an emergency but she’ll be reporting and will give a metaphorical hug to her family when possible. She also has key contacts to speak with if she needs a pick-me-up or tactical chat.

Victoria aims to raise £300,000 in sponsorship, which will be shared between three charities – Stratford Samaritans, the Youth Adventure Trust and Coppafeel!.

She’s also set her sights on a second world record as the first female to complete a 2,000-mile solo row around the coast of Great Britain in 2025 but for the time being it’s all about the Atlantic and she’s ready for the challenge.

“I always ask myself “what’s great about this?” And it forces you to change your mind and be positive because it means we have the power to change what’s going on around us” Victoria said.



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