Perthshire adventurer Elaine Hopley has never been known to turn down a challenge, but faces one of her toughest as she undertakes one of the world’s most arduous solo rowing challenges.
The former Glenshee ski instructor will swap the temporary tranquillity of the sunshine isle of La Gomera in the Canaries for the wild Atlantic ocean.
Over 3,000 daunting miles she will battle her way to Antigua and in doing so hopes to become the first female to row the Atlantic singlehanded in more than a decade.
Hers will be one of a dozen boats taking part in this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge — though she will be one of just four solo participants. Others are competing in fours and pairs.
The 44-year-old outdoor endurance specialist has spent days unpacking and readying her seven metre R20 Ocean Rowing Boat for the task ahead.
It has been christened Jan in tribute to her mum, in whose memory the Dunblane businesswoman will raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.
Elaine said the departure from the Canaries would be the culmination of a year’s fundraising and training for the challenge of a lifetime.
She said: “Training has been full on for the last 11 months and of course I have been securing sponsors.
“It can really hard for solo rowers to get to the start line but everything seems to be in place.
“I’ve had no nerves so far. I’m fine. I was working up to Wednesday last week in my home improvements business.”
Elaine has been working hard to prepare her boat for the race and has seen it undergo intense scrutiny from event organisers.
With the all clear, she’s raring to go but admits even then it has not been plain sailing.
She said: “I wanted to get out on the water as quickly as possible to sample the conditions and the temperatures, but I’ve not been venturing too far offshore because the current will suck you away and you’ll be off before the starting gun goes!”
Elaine said that while she will have a satellite phone, she will be out of touch with friends and family for spells during her journey.
The nature of the challenge means that she will be spending Christmas alone, 11 days into a voyage of up to 70 days, though she has permitted herself some treats, including whisky and a Christmas cake, and plans to grow an avocado tree during the voyage.
She said it was heartening to know that supporters back home would be following her progress and wishing her well, among them Perth businessman John Bryden and all at Bridge of Earn’s Moncrieff Care Home, who are among her sponsors.
Mr Bryden said:“We are delighted to support Elaine’s venture because it is for such a great cause.
“Residents at our Moncreiff Care Home in Bridge of Earn met Elaine earlier in the year on National Care Home Day and they plan to follow her progress on the race website over the next few weeks.
“Elaine impressed me from our first meeting and she is determined to achieve her goals.
“She is chasing a dream and has worked so hard to get to this stage. Now it is all systems go for this remarkable challenge and we wish her luck.”
Elaine’s progress can be followed on the Talisker Atlantic Challenge website tracker while she continues to fundraise through a Just Giving page.
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