It was a hard start for Thomas Cremona and his rowing team as weather conditions slowed their pace tremendously in the first two days of their bid to break the transatlantic rowing world record.
“They’re going a bit slow,” his father Alfred said, pointing out the water current, waves and wind were pushing the rowing team back towards Africa instead of helping them get to Barbados.
His father remains hopeful, however, that if weather conditions improve the rowers will make up for lost time.
At 4 p.m. yesterday, Mr Cremona and his crew were doing 3.18 knots, which has to be improved to an average of 3.4 knots if they want to beat the record. Over the next 36 to 48 hours they are expected to row into a more favourable area with improved weather. Mr Cremona, who survived childhood cancer, set off from Tarfaya in Morocco on Wednesday to row a gruelling 5,000km to Barbados.
“He has no time for anything but to rest or row,” his father said, pointing out that his son had not yet answered the text messages he sent him yesterday.
Mr Cremona is the only Maltese in the six-man team. If he completes the row, he will also be the first Maltese to row across the Atlantic. The international team is rowing in groups of three for two hours, and then resting for another two. It is hoping to beat the mid-Atlantic rowing speed record of 33 days, seven hours and 30 minutes.
For the 22-year-old accountant, however, the row is more than about beating a record. His purpose is to show that there is a life after cancer and to raise funds for Puttinu Cares, the organisation that helps young cancer patients and their families while undergoing hospital treatment.
Mr Cremona beat leukaemia, with which he was diagnosed at four, and has since been a keen sportsman. Past achievements include the Concept2 longest continual row world record, a Lifecycle challenge, a Gozo Channel swim and a Malta marathon.
Donations to Puttinu Cares can be made through the numbers below. Alternatively, people can place a bet on Mr Cremona and his five-man crew with all proceeds going to the foundation.
Donations to Puttinu Cares Foundation can be made via: SMS on 50617380 for €2.33, 5061 8939 for €6.99 and 5061 9225 for €11.65. Dial 5004 9543 for €7, 5004 9545 for €11 or 5004 9540 for €23. Otherwise, donate directly to Bank of Valletta account 400 1812 2134.
The rower has a blog at www.oceanrowmalta.com.