A rowing crew trying to set a new cross-Atlantic world record has admitted for the first time that 30 days of back-breaking toil have been in vain.
The eight-strong crew of the Avalon, including Perthshire man Benno Rawlinson, had hoped to be the first to row from Europe to Barbados in less than 30 days.
At the very least they wanted to break the 32-day world record but, with just a day left, they still had almost 400 miles to travel.
The voyage has been dogged by bad luck, including breakages to both the 40-foot boat’s dagger board and spare, as well as battling through poor currents and wind.
Crew member Callum McNicol, from Arran, said on Sunday: “We have been enjoying a few rare days of tail winds and high seas, and have subsequently seen our daily totals rise to an acceptable 96, 98 and 96 miles.
“Unfortunately this is too late for us to make up the deficit and we have to now accept that we won’t be breaking any world records in this crossing.
“We have a little over 400 miles to go to Barbados and are traveling an average of four miles an hour, meaning we are now looking at a 34- day crossing.
“To say we as a crew are disappointed is an understatement,” Callum added.
The crew had been rowing endlessly in two-hour shifts.
Former Strathallan pupil Benno (26), from Abernethy, is raising money for the RNLI.