Olympian Sophie Hosking’s father has been left devastated after his crew was forced to pull out of a 2,000-mile rowing race – despite being on track for the world record.
David Hosking’s team were favourites to win the GB Row Challenge 2013 – dubbed the world’s toughest rowing race – and collect the £100,000 prize money for breaking the current 26-day record.
Team Hallin set off from London’s Tower Bridge on June 1, but suffered equipment failure one week into the race near Land’s End.
Skipper Hosking, 58, from Wimbledon, a retired naval officer, was hoping to raise £60,000 for Combat Stress, a charity that specialises in veteran’s mental health.
Despite raising 60 per cent of his target, Mr Hosking is disappointed the team failed to finish.
He said: “It was a sad end to our 18-month long campaign and I’m only sorry that we failed to reach that £60,000 target for Combat Stress.
“A lot can happen with a race that is a month long – one minute, we were doing really well, and then we have equipment failure.”
He explained the team, that including 22-year-old soldier Stuart Chamberlayne, from Coulsdon, faced steering issues and were forced to anchor near Land’s End.
He said: “It is annoying. We were a week in, so it would have been nice to finish. I’ll have to do another race now.
“We were all very positive and I think we could have done well. We were a strong crew and they were all very fit. I was the oldest in the race, so I’m pleased my old body didn’t pack up.”
Mr Hosking returned to work as a rowing coach at Charthouse School in Godalming this week – but has not given up on his dream.
He said: “I can rest my oars when we hit the target.”
To complete the race, teams must row from the capital, around Land’s End, up to John O’Groats and back
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