Crew preparing for oarsome rowing challenge across the Atlantic Ocean

BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

Two adventure-seeking women have been thrown a lifeline as they prepare for an epic rowing challenge across the Atlantic Ocean.

Janette Potgieter, 39, from North Greenwich and Emily Woodason, 35, from Catford are taking part in the 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, setting sail in December.

Their search for corporate backing was scuttled by the pandemic, but they are thrilled to have won support from breakfast manufacturer – 446-year-old cereal makers Mornflake, one of the oldest companies in the country.

Now the adventure-seekers are pressing on with their final weeks of training, with an ambitious goal in mind – to be the first all-female team past the finish line in one of the world’s toughest rowing challenges.

Corporate investigator Janette, and landscape architect Emily, of Bradgate Road, are joined by Marlow-based physiotherapist Jen Cullom, 32, as skipper, and kayak guide Erin Bastian, 32, from Redruth in Cornwall as navigation lead.

Together they are training to battle the physical and mental extremes of more than 40 days out on the open ocean.

Janette, the crew’s technical lead, said: “Even getting to the start line has required a Herculean effort of preparation, fundraising and of course physical training.

“Searching for sponsorship in the current economic climate has of course been hard. We tried over 100 companies so were thrilled when Mornflake agreed to be headline partner, making our dreams a reality.

“Not only is their heritage wonderfully British and steeped in history, the family owners have long championed healthy lifestyles and are true champions of sustainability.

“Their mill is powered by a wind turbine and they believe there is no excuse for waste. They recycle and reuse everything they can, and any by-product of their oats is used as feed for local livestock. We love that their values match ours and are excited to have them on our team.”

Emily, nutrition and logistics lead, added: “To power our transatlantic row, rowing two hours on, two hours off, 24-hours-a-day for more than 40 days, we need some serious fuel.

“Consuming more than 4,000 calories a day, breakfast is a key meal for us. Mornflake Superfast porridge oats are the ultimate fuel to give us steady energy.

“These mighty oats have been powering us over the waves throughout our training rows and will be coming on the boat to help us across the Atlantic.

We will begin each day with a Mornflake breakfast pre-prepared in sealed vacuum packs. Facing sleep deprivation and 20ft-high waves, we will need this energy and resilience in bucket loads.”

The friends, who met virtually during the first lockdown, are passionate about ocean protection. They have chosen the Sea Ranger Service as their official charity and have a JustGiving page.

After the race, they will sell their ‘eco-boat’ to boost funds for the cause, which is dedicated to restoring ocean biodiversity while training young people for a maritime career.

Janette Potgieter, 39, is a corporate investigator, originally from Pretoria in South Africa. She has summited several peaks including Kilimanjaro, Elbrus and Mont Blanc.

She was also on the 2017-18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, sailing 13,007 miles from Uruguay to, and around, Australia.

Emily Woodason, 35, a landscape architect, in 2017-18 took part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, sailing 20,000 miles from the UK to Australia.

One Ocean Crew set sail from the Canary Island, La Gomera, on December 12. Their progress will be charted by Mornflake on social media.