Russian traveller continues solo rowing across Pacific despite non-stop storms

VLADIVOSTOK, April 7 (Itar-Tass) - Under non-stop rain Russian traveller Fyodor Konyukhov continues his voyage across the Pacific from Chile to Australia in rowboat Turgoyak. The whole rowboat became musty. “The ocean is covered with a grey, warm blanket, drumbeat on the roof of the cabin and wave blows on carbonic hull of the rowboat became my permanent companions,” Konyukhov told the Moscow expedition headquarters at a communication session on Sunday. “It is hard to row here, I am here first time and does not want to return here even by a good sailing yacht,” he said, noting that Turgoyak was passing the islands of French Polynesia. Captain Konyukhov has been rowing in the Pacific already for 105 days. For the last month almost non-stop storms have been battering Turgoyak. Last Sunday gusts of wind reached 30 knots (55.5 kph) constantly changing their direction. “The ocean has put me to test at full strength. I recall about the crossing from Chile to island Fatu Hiva [the first stage of expedition] as a song. Then it seemed to me that I am rowing at my limit, but (only) now the ocean is making me exhausted,” the traveller said. He also noted that it was becoming colder in the ocean, it was about 20-22 degrees Celsius, “rain water is also cold.” Passing in tropical latitudes, Captain Konyukhov has worked in a light t-shirt and shorts and even when the wave made him wet clothes got dry quickly. Now he has to work in a water-resistant suit. “Would the sun start shining quicker as the whole rowboat became musty and batteries discharged to the critically low level,” Konyukhov said with regret. The Russian traveller started from the Chilean port of Concon on December 22, 2013. He intends to cross the Pacific in a rowboat and reach the port of Brisbane on the eastern coast of Australia. As of Monday Turgoyak has passed 5,892 nautical miles (10,911 kilometres). The Russian traveller is left to row 2,355 nautical miles (4,361 kilometres) to the Australian coast. Learn more on itar-tass.com