Written for Grant and Luke by John Mitchell, Project Manager
Grant and Luke are still rowing at a great rate making good mileage toward the Australian coast.
Grant & Luke’s progress up to midday 22nd March
Major decisions were needed on the 20th.
After the rapid progress of the last 2 weeks the team had finally arrived in the area of the Tasman where major current eddies dominate. Do they continue to head NW using the tail winds and go over the top of the eddies or head west and cut through to shorten the distance.
Eddy challenge ahead, flag is position midday 20th
Winds midday 20th
The decision was made to head WSW and cut across the next counter current into current “free” waters and then on towards the distant coast. The new course kicked in early afternoon and they were now headed roughly towards Coffs Harbour.
They crossed the 163° meridian at 6pm on 20th so have now moved out of the NZ search and rescue region and into the Australian SSR.
Progress has continued to be rapid over the last 2 days with moderate ESE winds and relatively calm seas.
Some messages from Grant today
Grant had a bad day yesterday feeling very tired but pulled through and focussed on getting his 90 min sleeps in during shifts, so today he is back on the horse again.
Afternoon time can be uncomfortably hot rowing in the sun, but night time is nice when temp drops, but the trade-off is we row two hour shifts at night versus one hour shifts during day. Lots of seabirds here and always see shooting stars at night.
Closer to last 1/3 of journey the currents intensify and it’s critical we work our way through them, to avoid getting caught. So the next few days will be an interesting challenge.
Onboard Pavlova is the Paihia kiwi, a small stuffed toy given to Axe by Colin Quincey sometime before 2018, who asked him to carry it across the Tasman for him. So far the Paihia kiwi is giving the crew very good luck, long may it continue.
Closest point in Australia is now Ballina at 750km away.
There are three navigational hazards to get past in front of us, Elizabeth and Middleton reefs and Lord Howe Island. (the reefs are roughly 200km ahead of Grant and Luke).
Currents still to cross. Circle is position at midday 22nd
Sorry no new photos to post as their InReach system is text only.
Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson 
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