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Row Across Atlantic Amidst Grief
11 Jan
Summary
- Clare O'Reilly is rowing the Atlantic with her team in a challenging race.
- She is competing while processing the recent death of her father.
- Her team is ranked 17th overall and second in the women's category.
Clare O'Reilly, a participant from Wembury, Devon, is currently engaged in the arduous World's Toughest Row, an Atlantic crossing challenge. She, along with teammates Rosie Tong and Mel Jarman, embarked on the 3,600-mile race on December 14th. O'Reilly shared that the most difficult moment preceded the competition, as her father passed away hours before she departed from La Gomera, Spain, for Antigua.
She described the ocean's rhythm as mirroring the experience of grief, noting that progress is dictated by the sea, much like the pace of mourning. Despite the emotional hardship and missing her father's presence, O'Reilly feels a strong connection to him during the row. Her team, "Row with the Flow," is performing remarkably, securing 17th place among 44 boats and second within the women's category.
Life aboard the rowing vessel is characterized as relentlessly challenging yet enjoyable, with even basic tasks becoming a "chore." O'Reilly admits to a fear of deep water and large waves, having encountered seas with five to six-meter waves early in the race. Nevertheless, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this extraordinary endeavor.
